Veteran Nakuru politician Koigi Wa Wamwere has said that fallen multiparty hero Kenneth Matiba was a victim of betrayal.
Speaking on Citizen's JKL show on Wednesday, the former political detainee fired shots at leaders who abandoned the former Kiharu lawmaker during his troubles under retired President Daniel Moi's Nyayo regime in the 1990s.
Matiba was arrested and detained without trial over his involvement in the multiparty push, a move that was opposed by Moi's government which was championing for the single party system.
Koigi hit out at politicians who were in office during Matiba's detention for silently watching him drown.
He accused them of giving in to pressure and threats piled on them by the government, noting that despite everything, they had the liberty to rebel, but opted to remain silent, letting the regime have its way.
''There are very many people who had the power to save Matiba but decided to keep off. Nobody denies the fact that the President was almost as powerful as a god at that time and crossing him would have dire consequences, but they had the liberty to rebel and do both the nation and the hero a favour,'' he said.
The former Subukia lawmaker further faulted the ongoing praises being showered on the leader from all political and national quarters, noting that the same should have been preceded by a process to hold his assailants accountable.
''It is not wrong to acknowledge all the sacrifices he made to better the nation but we must also condemn those who contributed to his troubles and ultimate death,'' added the former Nakuru senatorial aspirant.