NGUGI ON HAITI-THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH SUCH A LEADER!

Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o was a giant of African literature whose books reflected his anti-imperialist ideology and the fight for African sovereignty. He joined the ancestors on the 28 May in the US state of Georgia. His literature, spanning six decades, challenged colonial rule in Kenya and the post-independence era that followed. Thiong’o wrote in both English and Gikuyu and was a vocal advocate for the use of indigenous languages in literature. 

In this now-resurfaced clip, Thiong’o criticises President William Ruto’s decision to deploy 1,000 Kenyan policemen to Haiti for a US-sponsored occupation. He shares his disbelief and disapproval of Kenya’s decision to do so, knowing the history of Haiti as a nation and its ddestabilization by external influences. In his words, Ngũgĩ said, “I felt teary, I didn’t believe that Kenya is doing this!” During a UN general assembly in September 2023, Ruto passionately spoke about the Haiti intervention as a gesture of “Africanism”. Despite the High Court ruling the deployment as unconstitutional, Ruto defiantly sent 1000 officers to Haiti. The deployment was met with staunch opposition not only in Kenya but also from Haitians, who vehemently refused foreign intervention of any sort. 

Earlier this month, following the usual playbook of grovelling before the West, Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Musalia Mudavadi, pleaded for more funds to shore up the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, led by Nairobi at the behest of Washington. In his argument, he says that the deployed forces are struggling to tackle escalating gang violence because of a lack of money and logistical help. Two police officers have reportedly been killed in confrontations with the gangs.

Upon the passing of Thiong’o, his family emphasized that Ngũgĩ wished for his life and work to be celebrated rather than mourned.

Rest in Power, Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o

Video credits - @AdipoSidang