His decision to write in his native Kikuyu language, as seen in "Caitaani Mutharaba-Ini" (Devil on the Cross), marked a significant shift in his career, emphasizing the importance of cultural preservation and resistance through language.

Beyond his literary achievements, Ngugi wa Thiong'o is a respected academic and advocate for human rights and social justice. He has held prestigious academic positions at various universities around the world, including Yale University and the University of California, Irvine, where he has continued to influence generations of students and scholars. His writings, lectures, and activism have consistently championed the decolonization of African minds, languages, and cultures, positioning him as a key figure in global intellectual discourse. Ngugi's unwavering commitment to the power of storytelling as a tool for social change has made him a towering figure in literature and a voice of conscience in the struggle for a more equitable world.