Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o feted by Yale University
Celebrated Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o was on Monday among eight people be awarded honorary degrees by Yale University in America.
Ngugi was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of letters degree during the university’s graduation ceremony.
Yale awarded honorary degrees to individuals who have achieved distinction in their respective fields.
Ngugi wa Thiong’o receives Honorary Doctor of Letters #Yale2017 pic.twitter.com/AlNEzBhhNl
— Yale University (@Yale) May 22, 2017
“Author, playwright, activist, and scholar, you have shown us the power of words to change the world. You have written in English and in your Kenyan language, Gĩkũyũ; you have worked in prison cells and in exile; and you have survived assassination attempts — all to bring attention to the plight of ordinary people in Kenya and around the world. Brave wordsmith, for breaking down barriers, for showing us the potential of literature to incite change and promote justice, for helping us decolonize our minds and open them to new ideas, we are privileged to award you this degree of Doctor of Letters,” said Yale University.
Others who were awarded honorary degrees include Marin Alsop, Jessie Little Doe Baird, Cornelia Bargmann, Irwin Jacobs, former US secretary of state John Kerry, John R. Lewis and legendary musician Stevie Wonder.
