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TRIBUTE TO GEN. MATHENGE AND THE LATE JARAMOGI OGINGA ODINGA
By Michael Mundia Kamau
TO: The Editor; The East African Standard and Jaluo dot Kom
20th
January 2002
Dear Sir
I read with great interest your timely 8th year commemorative feature on
the passing away of legendary Kenyan leader Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.It was
particularly gratifying to note the efforts that have been taken to
preserve the rich Dholuo heritage alongside Jaramogi's illustrious legacy.
Key in this regard are the inclusion of key Dholuo legendary figures such
as Gor Mahia and Luanda Magere in Jaramogi's museum. Importantly not
forgotten also, are the standard uniform/colours of the Kenya People's
Union (KPU), Jaramogi's brainchild.
It is pointed out in your feature that Jaramogi's key speeches both
locally and abroad are preserved on video cassettes, and this is certainly
a point of public interest, as I am one amongst several who would want to
purchase a copy of the same. A number of years back I disappointingly
tried to purchase a copy of "End of Empire" a feature on Kenya's
road to independence from Granada Television of the UK, and abandoned the
undertaking realising it would cost me the equivalent of about 15,000
Kenya Shillings to obtain the video cassette, in addition to several other
displeasing conditions ! Our own heritage should not cost that much to
obatain and I trust that Jaramogi's family has factored this in.
This country owes Jaramogi Oginga Odinga alot for his role in the struggle
for independence and a just society. This came at a high cost as pointed
out in your feature. For us to turn back our backs on this country's
heroes, is to turn our backs on ourselves. If Jaramogi is nothing, then so
are we.
One of his widows Betty, correctly points out that Jaramogi was in a class
of his own. Over the last nine years I have had occasion to view some of
Jaramogi's key speeches, courtesy of the Kenya National Archives. What
emerges amongst other things, is a brillliant eloquent orator with
powerful delivery, focus and substance in his stand. That Jaramogi was
ahead of his time is not in dispute. That Jaramogi's famous clash with
Mzee Kenyatta in 1969 was key in regulating the excesses of the regime
then, is also not in dispute.
Every effort must be taken to preserve the legacy of Jaramogi and all our
other founding fathers. If we abandon this undertaking, then we abandon
ourselves, and must face the consequences. Tom Mboya's mausoleum is in
disarray and this truly regrettable considering his equally huge
contribution to this country's history.
Indeed, the same would have applied to Mzee Kenyatta's and Jaramogi's
mausoleums respectively, were it not for their wealthy and powerful
families. It is crucial that we give consideration to these neglected
facets of our heritage.
Yours faithfully,
Michael Mundia Kamau
23rd January 2002
Dear Sir
This letter is written in deepest appreciation for the three part
instalment on General Stanley Mathenge Mirugi and the discovery that he is
still alive in Ethiopia. The East African Standard and Joseph Karimi have
unravelled a mystery and done this country a service beyond even their
comprehension and ours. The discovery of
General Mathenge is both joyous and sorrowful. On the one hand it
is extremely gratifying to know that a great son of this country is still
alive and well, and on the other, it is a stark reflection of how utterly
callous, misguided and ungrateful a society we are.
General Mathenge's discovery will certainly spur a great deal of public
debate and hopefully reflection. These are greatly troubling times for
this country whose roots are in the injustices and wrongs perpetrated
against the likes of General Stanley Mathenge Mirugi. So much media
attention is being paid to initiatives like the constitutional review
process forgetting that had it not been for the sacrifices of the likes of
General Mathenge, there would have been no constitution to review in the
first place. It is time to spare a thought for the past without which
there is no future.
The prognosis on Mau Mau is incomplete and different schools of thought
view Mau Mau diffrently. The leadership struggle in Mau Mau itself is also
unclear. The East African Standard account has it that General Mathenge
deputised Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi while another has it that General
Mathenge was toppled as the head of Mau Mau by a more radical leaning
faction of Mau Mau led by Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi.
However, the fact that the British decalared a state of emergency in 1952
is a pointer to the impact of Mau Mau. The fact that the British brought
in the UK based Lancashire Fusiliers, is a pointer to the effect of Mau
Mau. The fact that the British carried out massive and expensive bombing
sprees over the Aberdares, is a pointer to the force of Mau Mau.
The British intended to grant indepedence to Kenya in 1973, and probably
even later. It is not unimaginary that we could have been granted
independence at the same time as Zimbabwe in 1980, or even South Africa in
1994, given the docile, accommodating nature of Kenyans. The impact of Mau
Mau was however swift and unexpected and forced the British to review
their stand regarding Kenya. Whatever extended colonial plans that may
have been had were cut short and replaced with neo-colonial ones. When we
go about our daily business, we must bear this in mind. When we pride
ourselves in the breakthroughs we have made as a Nation, we must bear this
in mind. Many of us have gone to school and are able to fit in and adopt
in many places in this world. We must pay homage and
thanks to those who made this possible.
The rot has sunk to unthinkable levels such that no mention or inclusion
of General Mathenge is made in Mau Mau suits for compensation against the
British government, yet he has been alive all these years.
No one can escape blame for the callous manner in which we have downplayed
Mau Mau and the heroic freedom struggle. On December 12th 1963 itself,
Prime Minister Jomo Kenyatta in the company of the Duke of Edinburgh,
snubbed Mau Mau fighters who walked towards him to exchange greetings. No
effort whatsoever has been made to recognise the movement and it's
contribution to the freedom struggle in this country.
Nothing personifies this more than the fact that General Mathenge and
others have been kept quietly next door to this country all these years.
Nothing personifies this more than the fact that Field Marshall Dedan
Kimathi's remains are still buried at Kamiti maximum prison. What kind of
a people disowns it's past ? One can safely conclude that one of the
pre-conditions for independence was the systematic erasing of Mau Mau and
all it stood for General Mathenge's discovery and his response clearly
manifests the noble ideals that Mau Mau stood for.
No wonder Mau Mau has been trampled on so, because their ideals have no
place in present day Kenya. One definitely reads embitterment in General
Mathenge's detached manner, embitterment with a society that they
sacrificed so much for, and that has turned it's back on them. One also
notes a very refined sense of ideals and principle.
We have not once heard General Mathenge raise issue or cry foul all these
years. He has gracefully accepted that they were betrayed and opted for
quiet retirement. He is not like so many Kenyan politicians who are
demanding rewards for their role in the so called second liberation. Mau
Mau stood for something which was fullfilled, though not quite in the
anticipated way.
General Mathenge should be allowed to live in quiet retirement in his new
found life and beloved family. Plans to bring him back home are premature
and misguided. General Mathenge is a wounded man who may never heal. All
of us have betrayed him and must pay the price. Any attempt to get the
truth out of him must be approached with utmost caution without unsettling
the delicate balance of his life and family. He can only be requested to
talk willingly and only willingly, beyond which a hasty retreat must be
made. General Mathenge is an old man incapable of supporting undue stress
and strain. We appear to have murdered a freedom movement and must not
extend this to a gracious old man.
Michael Mundia Kamau
© 2002, All rights reserved, JALUO dot KOM
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