Profiles of Western Kenya Heroes and their Sacrifices - By Wafula Buke

Kenyans’ December rises like the sun and crescendos as it picks up momentum towards a climax on the famous 25th day. On this day, all genuflect to the historical mark of Jesus. The word ‘sacrifice’ for the human family crystallizes his short but virtuous life. He paid the ultimate prize after a protracted torturous journey to that hill. Christmas is a period when we remind ourselves of those who have demonstrated this quality in leadership. At Radio Mambo studio, Omar Bakuli, my interviewee, asked me to give profiles of historical personalities from among the Luhya who have sacrificed for society. I considered the occasion opportune. First were the numerous casualties of the resistance to colonial invasion at Lumboka and Chetambe fort in 1898. Luhyas believe the colonialists used the rapid fire gun for the first time in Africa to maul down the brave opposition by Luhyas. The bukusu have a self-praise expression inspired by this event; “Efwe lirango lie Njofu”, we are the thigh of an elephant. Elijah Masinde of the Dini ya Musambwa declared that God was against colonialism and despite there being dismal white settlements in his backyard, went on record as the first known Kenyan to call for the departure of the white man from Africa. He launched the armed struggle in 1947 that preceded the Mau Mau insurgence. It should be noted that the General Service Unit (GSU) was set up by the colonial government on the prompting of the Elijah Masinde-led rebellion in February 1948. In the autobiography of Field Marshal John Okello, Revolution in Zanzibar, the leader of the 1964 Zanzibar revolution, Okello discloses that his deputy in command was one Absolom Ingen; “A Luhya from Kakamega.” The insurrection that lasted 90 hours overthrew the feudal Arab government and installed a socialist government. Incidentally, the two boys lead the revolution despite being aliens from neighboring countries; Uganda and Kenya a reality that made them invite Abeid Karume to be President. John Okello became the Minister for Defense. Scared of the pair, Nyerere, Kenyatta and Obote declared them personae non grata. In fact Okello wrote his book from Kamiti prison. Ingen’s story ends with the coup but Okello was years later found killed in Uganda during Amin’s regime. Masinde Muliro stood up for the assassinated JM kariuki in 1975. “There is no collective responsibility in murder.” He declared. The parliamentary inquiry report which he supported had held the Kenyatta government responsible for the murder of the JM kariuki. Muliro, a lifelong reformist is believed to have been killed in 1992. From his student days in at Alliance High School, Wafula Siakama was principled. On prize giving day, Charles Njonjo, the then Attorney General and Chief Guest made remarks to the effect that Siakama should have focused more on English instead of Kiswahili where he had shined. Siakama, who was walking towards Njonjo, turned back declining the prize creating tension. That moment defined his destiny. At the University of Nairobi, Siakama joined democratic forces delivering fiery speeches with colleagues Odindo Opiata and Rumba Kinuthia among others. He also regularly published anti-establishment articles in Hilary Ng’weno’s Nairobi Times newspaper in late 1970s. Despite being top of his law class, he was denied a scholarship for masters while his politically unmarked colleagues received sponsorship. Frustrated and unemployable, the charismatic youth who scored an upper second class honors in law died hopping from place to place chancing for free accommodation and upkeep. Oyangi Mbaja was born in 1930s in Vihiga. He was a self taught Deputy Editor of an independence paper alongside Hon Dennis Akumu in the 1950s. When Tom Mboya’s wing of Kanu de-radicalized the Kanu manifesto to accommodate the neo-colonial agenda in 1960, he organized demonstrations in Nairobi burning copies of the new manifesto. He remained steadfast participating in organizing opposition to the Kenyatta regime. In 1971, he accused of plotting a coup and jailed for ten years alongside other patriots. After completing his term, he joined Mwakenya, an underground liberation movement and later jailed for another five years in 1986. He died a poor man unable to even buy his drugs. When I visited him in Kenyatta hospital, he had stayed for two days without prescribed drugs that only cost Ksh 350. Ernest Bwire Namadoa was born in 1960 in Budalang’i. He was a photo journalist by occupation. Namadoa believed in the view that “liberation anywhere leads to liberation everywhere” (Che Guevara). He decided to join Museveni in the Uganda war of liberation. After the war, he returned to Kenya to do the groundwork for another liberation war in Kenya. He was jailed for ten years allegedly for spying for Uganda in 1987. After his prison term, he opted to join the war against Mobutu of former Zaire. They liberated the current DRC Congo. Bwire returned to his motherland in late 1990s limping due to a bullet wound. Jobless and unemployable, he found himself ostracized. He lived alone in a single room in Kabete Kiambu where he was found dead in the year 2000. Lastly, the Luhya have Martin Shikuku whose consistency is well known. Detained by Kenyatta in 1977, he is on record for asking God to take him as soon as the new constitution was passed. As we reflect on whom to vote for in March 2013, let us be guided by what Jesus and other heroes from our communities demonstrated; “SACRIFICE”.