Let us appreciate and honour our heroes, heroines

Francois-Marie d’Arouet, popularly known as Voltaire, opined that ‘appreciation is a wonderful thing; it makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well’. This is encouraging, yet saddening at the same time. The encouragement arises from the validity of that simple observation while the sadness is induced by the truism that as a country, we have failed dismally in that aspect.

What informed today’s writing is a sobering interview on KTN’s talk show Jeff Koinange live that featured one of Kenya’s greatest sportsmen; cricketer Maurice Odumbe in January. Yes, despite the fame he brought to Kenya with his exploits during international cricket matches, Mr Odumbe has fallen from grace to disgrace; having to beg on the streets for survival.