How do I begin writing about this? The cursor is still blinking and I remember I am not always very good at retelling historical stories as much as I am with creative writing but the thought of how many times we have been lied to hurts me much and it overweighs my inability to tell historical facts and I am here scavenging for the words right enough to communicate my thoughts.
Having to live in Kenya, a country where what you hear is the exact opposite of the reality can be the most disgusting experience this planet earth could serve you. I was born in this country and unfortunately I have never lived outside this place so I may not know how it feels like to be living in any other country. This is a country that was once (and maybe) still is every tourist dream destination. We have all that a tourist would need: the rich culture, the game, the beautiful natural sceneries, good climate and many more. What else would a tourist ask for?
However, this country has been brought down to ruins by the very people who claimed they loved this country. To me I do not trust everything I hear coming out of the lips of these leaders who are blinded by greed. I refuse to be blinded by the sugar coated shit they speak on political platforms to convince us that we are doing well or at least they have good plans for this country. Unfortunately majority of the Kenyan citizens have refused or are not able to read between the lines and unravel the mystery of their real intentions-their wicked intentions. Unfortunately they have successfully divided us along tribal lines and so we are busy fighting ourselves while they marvel and reap hugely from our ignorance but this might just be a story for another day. Back to the topic.
Who are the real Kenyan heroes?
Tell me any other name but do not tell me that Jomo Kenyatta is a Kenyan hero. Tell that to any other fool blinded by tribal politics but not me. For one, how can you call someone who used other freedom fighters to help him end colonialism and thereafter establish a political dynasty based on tyranny a hero? A political era characterized by political assassinations. I can say authoritatively that most of the people we celebrate as Kenyan heroes were the real enemies of Kenya. People allergic to any form of progress. Why did the Jomo Kenyatta government have to KILL the people who were fighting for liberation and economic progress? Here are the real Kenyan heroes- you may add whomever you think should be in the list.
JM KARIUKI
Kariuki was a true patriot who fought for equality of all the tribes in Kenya. Kariuki was worried of the widening gap between the poor and the rich and dedicated his life to fight for economic independence, a fight that was not welcomed by the Jomo Kenyatta government that had led in improper distribution of lands in Kenya. Kenyatta himself being the biggest beneficiary of these land related injustices after grabbing all the white highlands and other lands that belonged to MAU MAU fighters. He used lands to reward those loyal to his government.
Kariuki was the only KIKUYU who set foot at Rusinga Island to attend the burial of TJ Mboya at a time when the gap between the Luo and Kikuyu’s was widening.
Kariuki was assassinated and his body thrown in a forest. His eyes were gouged and his hands chopped off by the regime that purported to have the interest of Kenya at heart.
His famous Quotes
“Political independence without economic independence is like having a wedding without a bride.”
“In Kenya today, I can only see the dawn of a June morning rising majestically from the white oblivion into the serenity of life.”
“If we forget these people (the youth), we will find ourselves surrounded by rogues who are rogues not because they want to become rogues but because they are hungry and this leads them into temptation.”
“It is this greed that will put this country into chaos. Let me state here that this greedy attitude among the leaders is going to ruin this country.”
“Kenya has become a nation of 10 millionaires and 10 million beggars.”
“Every Kenyan man, woman and child is entitled to a decent and just living. That is a birthright. It is not a privilege. He is entitled as far as is humanly possible to equal educational, job and health opportunities irrespective of his parentage, race or creed or his area of origin in this land. If that is so, deliberate efforts should be made to eliminate all obstacles that today stand in the way of this just goal. That is the primary task of the machinery called Government: our Government.”
“We fought for independence with sweat, blood and our lives. Many of us suffered for inordinate days – directly and indirectly. Many of us are orphans, widows and children as a result of the struggle. We must ask: What did we suffer for, and were we justified in that suffering?”
TJ MBOYA
If there is anybody AMERICA should be grateful to the he is TJ MBOYA. He changed the history of America. Were it not for TJ MBOYA could we be speaking of OBAMA?
He organized airlifts that took bright Kenyan students to study in the United States and that is how Obama Senior got his way to the US giving rise to the Current American President.
His selflessness was evidently displayed when he let his chances of being the next president (as Kenyatta was grooming him) go as he chose to rebuke the leaders who were enriching themselves at the expense of Kenyans. He was also felled by the Kenyatta govt. And Kenyatta did not even attend his funeral. I think he deserved a national burial.
ROBERT OUKO
This was also another prominent leader whose eloquence saw him speak on behalf of the president in many international forums. At one time he was mistaken as the Kenyan president. He served in the government of Kenya from the colonial period through the presidencies of Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel arap Moi. He was a member of the National Assembly for Kisumu and a cabinet minister, rising to the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation by 1990. He was murdered in Kenya on 13 February 1990. His body was found by a herd’s boy at the hills of Got Alila. Forensic evidence suggested Ouko had been murdered, near to where his body was found, killed by a single shot to the head, his right leg broken in two places and his body left partially burned. His murder is still unresolved. This is what they did to true lovers of Kenya.
Another Kenyan Hero felled by political bullet
Pio Gama Pinto
In conclusion, if opposing the injustices of the reigning government makes you a renegade, a public enemy that deserves nothing less than death then we need to redefine what it really means to be a hero. And if I have to support a corrupt government led by those who think with their stomachs instead of brains, those who grab lands that rightfully belongs to Kenyans and marvel at their own riches while killing those who are fighting for equality is your definition of patriotism then count me out. I never want to be a patriot.
Sliver of Darkness 