Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s Family Denies Guardian Divorce Article

The family of Ngugi wa Thiong’o has denied an article in The Guardian that claimed the renowned Kenyan author is sick and lonely in the United States.

The article, which was published on June 13, 2023, also claimed that Thiong’o is undergoing a divorce with his second wife, Njeeri wa Thiong’o, and that he has moved out of their home in Irvine, California.

However, Thiong’o’s son, Mukoma wa Ngugi, has dismissed the article as “unethical” and “gossip.”

“Am I the only one finding this story (well written as it is) also unethical? In terms of journalistic standards and what matters and what details are necessary to tell a compelling story? Anything that is gratuitous is unnecessary and gossipy excess,” Mukoma said in a statement.

The Guardian article also claimed that Thiong’o is suffering from kidney failure and is being taken care of by medical personnel at his home. The author of the article, Johny Pitts, said that Thiong’o had recently undergone surgery.

However, Mukoma said that his father is “doing well” and that he is “not sick or lonely.” He also said that the article’s claim that Thiong’o is undergoing a divorce is “not true.”

Pitts has not responded to Mukoma’s statement.

The Guardian article has been met with criticism from some readers, who have accused it of being insensitive and exploitative. Others have defended the article, saying that it is important to report on the lives of public figures, even if the news is difficult.

The article has also sparked a discussion about the ethics of journalism, particularly when it comes to reporting on the personal lives of celebrities and other public figures.

It remains to be seen whether The Guardian will retract or amend the article.