How JM Kariuki’s killing launched class five pupil David Ndii into activism

David Ndii

When JM Kariuki was killed in 1975, something weird happened – police stumbled on peculiar posters glued on trees in Limuru.

The writings were squiggled out in a manner that hinted unprofessionalism. The contents were damning. The posters were demanding arrest of JM’s killers.

The contents also made a chilling threat that something horrible would happen if justice was not served.

Police investigations revealed the young mastermind behind the damning posters. It was David Ndii.

“I was home when policemen knocked on our door demanding explanations. They questioned my parents for hours, not believing I had crafted the posters,” says Dr Ndii, opening up on his first attempt of protest, and a brush with the police.

He was a Class Five pupil, barely a teenager. He chuckles, saying he cannot recall details of what transpired, but he was inspired by the demonstrations against JM’s death all over Limuru where he was born and raised.

Later that night, under hushed tones, his mother warned him against poking the Government. What she did not know was that it was the beginning of Ndii’s rebellion; a habit he has sustained over the years – one that led to his arrest last week.

From when he appeared on national television and casually mentioned the need for secession to his recent arrest after insisting that NASA leader Raila Odinga’s swearing in will go on as scheduled, the distinguished economist has maintained a pro-Opposition stand.

Many view him as a NASA sympathiser, and his twitter page that has a vast following always has comments of people calling him out when he casts government in bad light. 

“Most young people do not know where I have come from. It is not my business to explain who I am,” he says, insisting he cannot do a media interview to talk about himself.

Nation building

“I only discuss issues, not myself. I am an intellectual. I don’t gossip,” he says. His tone, mannerism and scathing remarks make most of his critics dismiss him as an arrogant man who has added no value in the liberation of the country.

Ndii views himself differently. He says his input in nation building stretches from when he was a young student at Nairobi University, and a group of policemen accosted him on Loita Street accusing him of being involved in anti-government activities.

 “I was arrested because they were uncomfortable with my ques that didn’t make sense. I have always been on the side seeking justice,” he says.

He glosses over the circumstances of his arrest that led him to the infamous Nyayo House chambers, saying he would rather forget the things that happened to him then, but maintains that his spirit to fight for what he believes remained.

Enough evidence

To him, what he did while working for Ministry of Economic Planning then under Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o to develop the five-year Economic Recovery Strategy for Wealth Creation and Employment (ERS), being part of the team that drafted the Constitution, and always being vocal to injustices is evidence enough that he pursues what he believes in.

He says the narrative being pushed by many that he is a ‘betrayer of his tribe’ who is blindly following the ‘Raila train’ is shallow and flawed.

“I have been in Opposition since 1992. Even when Raila joined Kanu, I was a supporter of Opposition. I have not followed Raila everywhere,” says Ndii. Some of his close allies, however, feel Ndii is deep in Raila’s pockets, and has refused to use his intellectualism to check on the excesses of the opposition who are on a path of ruin.

He was harshly criticised as an economist when he seemed to endorse the boycott of some products by NASA officials.

“He should know better as an economist. Boycotts will only harm this country,” read one of the comments directed to Ndii after the announcement.

His push for formation of people’s assembly has also been criticised by many, including political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi. “David Ndii is being naive with his braggadocio.

His wife should not talk about under-clothes on TV. The couple is being used by foxy Baba,” Ngunyi said in a recent tweet.

Ndii insists he will continue with the fight, even if he remains the solitary voice in a quest of what he believes. He says his recent arrest has not shaken him, as he has been incarcerated before.

“I have been through a lot. I am no longer scared. At first, I would question if I would come out of it alive, but that does not matter anymore,” says Ndii.

He adds that he has had many near death experiences; including when he was at West Gate Shopping Mall and terrorists attacked.

He is quick to anger, he says especially when we witness cruelty, injustice, betrayal and other transgressions of people. He has gotten into fist fights with those who try to oppress the poor.

He is not about to give up on his quest for justice. His wife’s unwavering support and assurances keeps him going.

He met Mwende Gatabaki when he was 18 years. She was 16.