In my youth I idolised Malcolm X, the fiery Black American civil rights fighter and activist. Even his fierce and revolutionary language appealed to my youthful rebelliousness.
But it was Martin Luther King who inspired me more as I matured. Even today when I desperately need some personal encouragement and revival, I listen to his speeches.
As I listen to his baritone voice invoking 'I have a dream', I feel my spirits soaring. Fifty years later, that speech still inspires me. His last speech, 'I have been to the mountaintop, and I have seen the promised land' was both deeply inspiring and prophetic. Sadly, he was assassinated on the same day. Both men gave their lives to the cause they believed in. Such are the sacrifices of leadership.
I have been inspired by the leaders I have met in Kenya too. I have met housewives who became fed up with the conditions of single motherhood and decided to do something about it to protect both their daughters and neighbourhood girls. I have seen young people begin organisations at the grassroots to deal with drugs, environmental issues, women's economic empowerment or just agitating for local issues.
I have been inspired by youth determined to maintain their dignity despite living in the slums. I watched in disbelief when a makanga (matatu tout) decided that he wanted to run for MCA (Member of the County Assembly). First people laughed at his audacity and dismissed his efforts but then realised he was serious. His job does not define him and he is perhaps the most qualified to deal with issues that face his neighbourhood.
One wonders, where does the calling come from? What makes one decide to rise and become a leader? What drives our political leadership in Kenya today? I am not referring to the political princes like Raila, Ruto, Kalonzo and other national leaders. I am referring to the ordinary citizen in the small wards of our cities, of the village youth who one day wakes up and dares to run for political office without a penny to his or her name.
Like Martin Luther King, I too have been to the mountaintop and seen the promised land of Mombasa and while I do not presume to compare myself with Martin Luther King, I too had a dream to change Mombasa. I too did not get the chance to lead my people to the promised land, but unlike Luther, I am alive and kicking.
This is the greatest challenge for aspiring politicians. There are thousands of young people who ran for office and either lost, dropped out of the race or were forced to drop out in nominations across the country. Does the dream die? Should they let it die? Does leadership come from being elected? What should they do now that they lost? I believe all leaders should allow the dust to settle first and recover from the campaign suffering. Campaigns are physically, emotionally and financially draining exercises.
Ask yourself; why did I campaign for leadership? If you were looking for a job for its prestige and perks, you are in problems because you have lost both. If your passion was to bring real change, then the problems you spoke about have not been solved. People will still look to you for guidance and support and if you continue to provide leadership, people will appreciate it even more because they will realise you were leading from the front not because you wanted to be elected, but because you really cared. The essence of true leadership is not just winning elections. Like Dr King and Malcolm X, true leaders are not always elected.
Thousands of political leaders need to reflect and decide on the way forward now. Continue providing community service and leadership. That is the essence of true sacrifice. For those who still have political ambitions, 2027 is just round the corner. Like the Johnnie Walker commercial says, "keep walking."
