These are the real Kenyan patriots

The blood of innocent Kenyans continues to flow in the river of time. Is it the blood of a collapsing order gasping for breath as it crumbles into a state of anarchy? Or is it the blood of convulsive maternal pangs giving birth to a new and better Kenya? Let the choice be ours!” Alamin Mazrui, 1997.

Sycophants and their coterie are not patriots. Patriots are not made in government or by the opposition. They are self-made. Advocates of change, you will find them in and out of government, in civil society, parastatals, in private corporations and in the remotest of villages, making the smallest of ripples.

With little resources and in the face of opposition, they go out of their way to bring about change, many times relying only on their force of will. They are not deterred by the obvious danger to limbs, financial status, freedom and life.

In Kenya, many a patriot has been born out of the struggle for freedoms. Many have died in the effort to bring about change. Dedan Kimathi and the forgotten Mau Mau were true Kenyan patriots. They lost their lives, freedom, family and property in the struggle. Independence arrived faster as a result of their valour.

The Kapenguria Six, Founding President Jomo Kenyatta, Bildad Kaggia, Achieng’ Oneko, Kung’u Karumba, Fred Kubai and Paul Ngei were sent to prison for years in their struggle for Kenya’s independence.

In the late 50s and early 60s Jaramogi Oginga Odinga endorsed the Founding President “Uhuru na Kenyatta”. Till his untimely death he remained in Kenyans’ service lane, many times at the cost of his freedoms.

Today, his son Raila Odinga, in a bid to reclaim, retain and expand the democratic space created by the new Constitution, is among the names behind a suit filed in the High Court against the new Security Laws.

Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Supreme Court Judge Mohamed Ibrahim, Kenneth Matiba, Anyang’ Nyong’o, James Orengo, Wanyiri Kihoro, Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, Koigi wa Wamwere and many others were detained in the 80s and 90s because of their clamour for the reform of the political, economic, social and legal institutions of Kenya.

Reverend Njoya: Very few know that were it not for a suit he filed in court, the right Kenyans now enjoy to vote at a referendum before any major changes are made to the Constitution, would not have been realised.

Yash Pal Ghai in 1970 published a book on the Constitutional framework of Kenya. His keen interest in Kenya’s Constitution has never faded. He was actively involved in the making of the 2010 Constitution. He remains engaged in legal and civic education programmes on the Constitution. There are countless others whose single actions have changed the destiny of the country. In 2002 President Uhuru Kenyatta conceded defeat to former President Kibaki. He and then incumbent former President Daniel Moi could easily have refused to voluntarily hand over the instruments of power.

David Munyakei was the whistle-blower who brought the Goldenberg scandal to light within local and international circles. He paid for this service to the nation with his life, dying a patriot shunned in his own country.

Were it not for Wangari Maathai, and the Green Belt Movement, Uhuru Park would not be the same today. She suffered humiliation, assaults and in a one-woman showdown with a very powerful President, she won, and so did Kenya and Kenyans.

I celebrate Kenya’s patriots, and beg for pardon from all those who have at one time or another put the country’s interest before their own and are not named here.

There are many things many of us would like to change in Kenya. What are you doing about it except complaining?

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