‘Mtumishi’ Njeru Kathangu is a former Runyenjes MP. He has cooled his heels in jail severally in his fight for democracy in Kenya. He spoke to Brigid Chemweno about life behind bars, regrets and what he would do differently
Many people call you ‘Mtumishi’ how did you get this name?
Mtumishi is Kiswahili for servant. Salaried representatives like MPs are but oversight agents and representatives of the people, who are their bosses. That is why I chose to be mtumishi. Mheshimiwa (honourable) is a self-seeking status that raises the leader above the people.
When you came out of prison in 1980, you decided to pursue higher education and studied political science. Why this shift from military?
I wanted to join other liberators in the struggle for the expansion of democratic space and to fight for the people who continue to suffer deprivation, marginalisation and social exclusion.
After the 1982 attempted coup, you were back in prison. How did you come to be linked to this?
As a former Kenya Air Force officer, security agents thought I could have been involved in the coup, but I was not part of it. I was arrested, questioned and released after about two weeks.
Some people think it was stage-managed to free Moi’s regime from the fatigue and fever inherited from Mzee Kenyatta’s regime, while others think it was real and that the planners are known. The fact is that some Kenyans were condemned and hanged. So many innocent young people suffered in prison for things they did not know, yet those who knew the truth have kept it to themselves.
You joined politics in 1983 on a Kanu ticket but the then government barred you from vying. What was the reason for this?
They thought that as a former member of the Kenya Air Force who had tried to overthrow the government in 1982, I would pursue those ideas. I tested the waters in 1988 but there was a lot of hostility against me. I backed down and used my brother to pursue my interest and use my name and in my absence, I was elected to Kanu.
Comparing your time and today, has the government changed tactics in dealing with dissenters?
No. This government is founded on the same tenets. In fact, to put it in another way, the monkeys are the same but in a different forest.
The Judiciary in your time was subjected to political interference. What is the situation today?
One still notices the rampant corruption in the judiciary more than ever before although the interference by the Executive is not as pronounced.
You have been in prison several times...
Yes. I have been in prison several times, all because of the government’s fear of the unknown. I was put in prison from 1976 to 1980 because of questioning the murders of JM Kariuki. As a captain in the air force, I refused to suppress rioters who were demanding to know the murderers and whereabouts of JM Kariuki.
Prison life is demeaning, humiliating and dehumanising. Most inmates break down in prison never to recover from sadistic treatments. Many die.
Why do you think you lost your seat in 2002?
I lost because of my moral convictions. The country has changed and quite significantly lost as regards morality. Politicians who are not involved in bribery and vote-buying have a major problem in this country in sustaining their political seats. Kenyans say that morals are for the foolish.
Suppose you were given another chance, what would you advocate for?
Change societal attitudes and create a new moral code.
Any regrets for your time in leadership (1997-2002)?
I feel great as always. God bless Kenya.
