Doctors' union officials are modern-day heroes

National heroes like the immortal Dedan Kimathi don't drop from heaven and other worlds. Neither are they cut from stones or trees, fished from lakes and rivers, or born of super human beings or wild animals.

Heroes have lived before us and will live with and even after us because of their selflessness, including facing death let alone going to jail.

All earthly heroes and heroines are born of man and woman. The only difference between them and other mortals is that they are prepared to throw themselves under a moving train while fighting for the wretched of the earth and for what they believe is just and right for themselves and society.

The current officials of the doctors' union fall in this category, whether one likes it or not.

For the 50-plus years since Kenya attained independence, the country has struggled to define who our present, past and future heroes are.

The struggles the seven officials have waded through over the past two and a half months point to Kenyans how to define, select and honour heroes.

Don't misconstrue or be misled by the Government that the collective bargaining agreement doctors are fighting for is all about salaries and allowances.

If you care to read the two-page document, you will see that those two items form a tiny component of the agreement. Eighty-five per cent of the CBA is about the health of Kenyans as enshrined in our Constitution and other international health statutes.

In any case, why did one arm of the Government sign the CBA and then the other arm declare it unattainable? It remains legal even if the officials are sent to prison.