As the country witnesses reckless plunder of public resources, one cannot help but miss Koigi wa Wamwere.
The former Subukia legislator and an advocate of good governance is one of the finest leaders that Kenya has ever had.
Koigi goes in history book as one of the young turks who fought bad governance by both Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi’s government.
He, together with the likes of Martin Shikuku, believed in a better Kenya. And they did not just sit and hope that things would be better, they fought for it.
They suffered torture and solitude and even lost family members who developed health issues after brutal harassment from government functionaries.
When one puts himself in the shoes of these gallant champions of democracy and good governance, it would hurt to witness the kind of a country we have today.
It is saddening that Kenya is getting a shortage of leaders like Koigi.
That the government is flooded with known ‘tumbocrats’ and 'pickpocketers', and the likes of Koigi kept in the cold, looting of public resources will continue.
Kenyans, however, have themselves to blame because when leaders with a record, like Koigi, vie for elective seats they bastardize them.
In 2017, Nakuru residents showed Koigi the middle finger when he vied for senator.
Why would they then lament when they receive bad leadership? Were they not having a chance to elect Koigi who has a tried and tested record?
But as a person of goodwill, Koigi should also not go mum when leaders go on a looting spree. He is the only hope to put elected leaders on the spot.
If he faced old Jomo and Moi, who were among Kenya’s feared leaders, why not take on the Jubilee duo as well as governors?
As a true inspiration to many young people, the former Subukia MP must not hang his boots yet.
There needs to be a comeback of Koigi and his ilk. We need another era of the bearded sisters!
#hivisasasaoriginal