A few hours before his execution, freedom hero Dedan Kimathi was offered a last opportunity to speak with his wife. His speech to Mukami Kimathi, according to files made public just this week, was profound. He said... "My blood will water the tree of Independence." He knew that the British colonial rulers would execute him for leading a liberation army and had no regrets about it. He wanted all Kenyans to be free so they could prosper in their own country. For that to happen, he was ready to pay with his life. His desire was representative of what Kenyans at that time wanted for their country.
The Mau Mau movement led by Kimathi was similar to the Nandi uprising, the Mijikenda rebellion, Chetambe war, Kolowa massacre and many others across the country. Kenyans wanted independence from the colonialists to run their own affairs.
More than five decades later, the freedom fighters could be turning in their grave. Many of the ideals they fought for have routinely been ignored through the pursuit of selfish ventures by the political class. For instance, Kimathi wrote to a Catholic priest requesting to have his son educated. How is our education sector today? Are all Kenyans proud of their schooling? Are all our children able to access a decent education? A lot still needs to be done.
The health sector is no better. It is ailing as a majority of poor Kenyans are unable to pay the exorbitant hospital fees for treatment. Most still have to cover a long distance to get basic treatment when individuals in positions of influence divert funds for healthcare provision to their personal ventures. Is this the freedom our heroes fought for?
The freedom fighters did not envisage economic rip-off often revealed through corruption scandals. Public resources have been siphoned through corruption perpetuated by public servants and conniving business people. This is certainly not what our freedom fighters had in mind when they sacrificed their lives and families.
As the Kimathi family seeks to get closure over the death of their kin, Kenyans must go back to the drawing board. They must reject anything that divides them or holds back the country's economic potential. Tribalism and corruption must be tackled. It is easy to point fingers at the authorities, even when we as individuals have refused to do what is right. Let's ensure that our freedom fighters did not die for nothing by living up to their ideals.
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