History Will Absolve Me

Still there is one argument more powerful than all the others.

We are Kenyans and to be Kenyan implies a duty; not to fulfill that duty is a crime, is treason. We are proud of the history of our country; we learned it in school and have grown up hearing of freedom, justice and human rights. We were taught to venerate the glorious example of our heroes and martyrs. Kimathi, Koitalel, Menza, Muge and Muliro were the first names engraved in our minds.

We were taught that the Titan once said that liberty is not begged for but won with the blade of a machete. We were taught that for the guidance of Kenya's free citizens, the MauMau taught: 'The man who abides by unjust laws and permits any man to trample and mistreat the country in which he was born is not an honorable man ...

In the world there must be a certain degree of honor just as there must be a certain amount of light. When there are many men without honor, there are always others who bear in themselves the honor of many men. These are the men who rebel with great force against those who steal the people's freedom, that is to say, against those who steal honor itself. In those men thousands more are contained, an entire people is contained, human dignity is contained ...

We were taught that the 20th of October and the 12th of December are glorious anniversaries of national rejoicing because they mark days on which Kenyans rebelled against the yoke of infamous colonialism.

We were taught to cherish and defend the beloved flag of the shield and two spears, and to sing every afternoon the verses of our National Anthem: Justice be our shield and Defender' and 'Firm we stand to defend''.

All this we learned and will never forget, even though today in our land there is murder and prison for the men who practice the ideas taught to them since the cradle.

We were born in a free country that our parents bequeathed to us, and the country will first burn to ashes before we consent to be the slaves of anyone.

It seemed that Kimathi would die during his trial. And all his valiant comrades, the fathers of our land. It seemed that his memory would be extinguished forever. So great was the affront! But he is alive; he did not die. His people are rebellious. His people are worthy. His people are faithful to his memory. There are Kenyans who have fallen defending his doctrines. There are young men who in magnificent selflessness came to die beside his tomb, giving their blood and their lives so that he could keep on living in the heart of his nation. Kenya, what would have become of you had you let Kimathi die?

Many who have thought like me have died young, poor and miserable. Others have been driven into insanity, exile or detention. Many more have joined the rank and file of stealing honour, justice and killing freedom and patriotism. It is understandable that honest men should be dead or in prison in a Republic where the President is a criminal and a thief, the police force is riddled with madness and corruption, the Judiciary is dead to morallity and legality, Parliament is a market of thieves and vile sycophants, Laws are hawked like rotten bananas, the Prime Minister is worth less talking about, the Cabinet is a negation of God erected into a system of government.

It does not matter. I will uphold the principles that were taught to me at my mother's breast, I will keep the spirit of Kimathi- the Architect of our Patriotism, and will do all within my power to put this country on the road to Justice, Prosperity, Happiness, Equality, Peace and true Greatness. History will absolve me.