Kenyans are reminiscing about the work of author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who died Wednesday in the U.S. They recall Ngũgĩ’s criticism of an autocratic administration, leading to his arrest and imprisonment in the 1970s.

An opposition politician and several other protesters have been arrested in Kenya during street demonstrations calling for an end to alleged abductions, that have recently targeted young government critics.