Politics is the main pillar of social and economic well being of society. Poor political leadership is the main reason Kenya has stagnated in the third world category. Regions in Kenya have produced great political icons that one would be proud to be associated with. In Nakuru, you can never boast of politicians if you don't talk about a political icon and mentor: Koigi Wa Wamwere.
Koigi is a fearless defender of the weak in society. This Rugongo-born tiger is a super writer, an activist and a politician. His father, Wamwere, migrated to this county from Kiambu with his mother Wangu. He schooled at Rugongo Primary School, Mother of Apostles Seminary and Nyeri High School, before going to Cornell University.
In his prime, Koigi lectured at Jogoo Commercial College and practiced freelance journalism. In 1974, he tasted political waters when he ran for Member of Parliament but was defeated by Kihiki Kimani by a margin of 800.
In 1975, the Sunday Post newspaper published his critique article about Jomo Kenyatta which led to his three-year imprisonment. Moi released him after Kenyatta’s death. He was freed alongside ‘The People’s Watchman’ Martin Shikuku and Ngugi Wa Wathiong’o.
Wamwere revenged his loss to Kihiki in 1979 and joined what Njonjo termed as the 'Seven Bearded Sisters'. The 1982 attempted coup saw him detained by president Moi again. The same year, he lost his parliamentary seat to Francis Kimasop. He was released in 1984 and lost the 1986 by-elections to Moi’s brother-in-law, Eric Bomett after Kimosop's suicide.
Koigi later fled to Norway on fears of security threat by the government but was arrested in Kampala and charged with treason which saw him locked up at the Kamiti Maximum Prison. Upon his release in 1993, he went into exile in Norway. Koigi came back in 1995 and was charged with robbery with violence, an 'offence' that attracted six lashes and a four-year sentence.
The Safina Party denied him a chance to vie for the 1997 presidency thus he opted for Mukaru’s KENDA party and he still failed to clinch the seat.
He then went back to exile in 1998.
The renowned politician was part of the victorious NARC Coalition that ousted the Moi regime and served as an assistant minister. He lost his parliamentary seat in 2007 on a Chama Cha Mwanachi Party ticket.
Koigi owns Sauti Ya Mwananchi Radio station and is the author of Justice on Trial and I Refuse to Die among others.