In spite of Matiba's pain, to many, the glass is half-empty

Kenneth Stanley Njindo Matiba, former minister and founder member of the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy- a group at the heart of the agitation for multi-party democracy in the 1990s- passed away on Sunday aged 85. That President Uhuru Kenyatta had to make a live address to the country underscores the stature of the fallen man.

Mr. Matiba distinguished himself as one among a breed of selfless Kenyans who put philanthropy, political decency and strict observance of ethics and etiquette at the centre of their lives. With him in 1990 when they formed the formidable FORD were such Opposition luminaries like Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Masinde Muliro, Martin Shikuku, Phillip Gachoka, George Nthenge and Salim Ahmed Bamahriz and Charles Wanyoike Rubia. Only Mr. Nthenge and Mr. Rubia are still alive.