Maruge’s life and lessons on overcoming odds

In life, you must hold dear your dreams and aspirations – they are what make every minute worth living and encourage us to press on, no matter what.

And just as an individual holds dear his or her goals, a nation must also have a blueprint that outlines its national dreams and aspirations. In Kenya, we have the Vision 2030 which we are actively moving to execute.

It’s clear that people expect either the Vision Delivery Secretariat (VDS) or the government in general to make Vision 2030 a reality. This thinking is wrong, and it is the first of many attitudes that need to change. It is each person’s responsibility to realise our country’s potential.

The road

By all means, the road to achieving Vision 2030 will not be easy; there will be ups and downs but we must remain determined and focused.

In line with this, over the last couple of weeks I have been reflecting on the passing on of a Kenyan icon. Mzee Stephen Kimani Maruge has, for me, remained a clear example of a man who kept his dreams alive, undaunted by seemingly impossible odds.

Were it not for old age and the cruel hand of death, this man would have furthered his education and become a veterinarian one day.

Looking back through Mzee Maruge’s notable life scenes, I can’t help but draw parallels from his life with Vision 2030 delivery aspirations.

The life and times of Mzee Maruge are indeed an inspiration to all Kenyans as he repeatedly challenged pessimists and lived to be a shining example.

Mzee Maruge was a freedom fighter during the colonial times and past achievements often do lend courage in the present but that’s not to say that we can go ahead and rest on our laurels. On this score, in relation to Vision 2030, while Kenya has had some achievements since independence, a great deal more needs to be done.

On the second score, Mzee Maruge endured the setback of living a widower’s life compounded by the loss of 10 of his children. But he ensured that past sorrows do not cloud his dreams and he always enjoyed a good laugh. Kenya needs national commitment to move past yesteryear setbacks.

Have meaning

A dream must have meaning. Mzee Maruge’s greatest desire – to be able to read the Bible and keep track of his financial dealings — opens a gateway to the need for a meaningful dream in life. For us, the prospect of a Kenya in which all of us thrive regardless of birth circumstances is surely something that reaches deep into our hearts.

Additionally, Mzee Maruge’s star shone through his tenacity to overcome odds and challenges. Having started his schooling at the age of 84, Mzee Maruge had by this year managed to read the Bible and access a wheelchair from well-wishers to aid in his mobility as his age advanced. Surely we too can boldly and without apology overcome global and local challenges to see Vision 2030 materialise.

In the early years of this decade, school authorities had at first declined to accept Mzee’s enrolment, variously referring him to adult education centres. His tenacity to attend school with his grandchildren however ensured that he gained admission to a regular primary school – Kapkenduiywo Primary School. Maruge’s example teaches us that in life, doors will be shut but can be easily opened if you persevere.

As a nation, we may have failed in the past but we must replace scepticism and cynicism with a persistent determination to see Vision 2030 realised. We must look at the merits of the blueprint beyond political, climatic or other transient challenges and refuse to allow them to derail the entire dream for both our generation and later generations’ sake.

Been dampened

Had Mzee Maruge’s spirit been dampened by the effects of the post-election violence – he lost his home and was an IDP for some time – he would have certainly not managed to achieve the spiritual feat of being baptised Stephen only days after a surgical operation.

Mzee Maruge set out to read the Bible but along the way, was made the school head boy in 2005, entered the Guinness Book of World Records, travelled to New York City on the UN’s request and there is a planned movie on his life.

In much the same way, Vision 2030 is an ambitious long term goal and all of us will have to be open minded in our approach to unfamiliar notions. Vision 2030 combines bold new frontiers and unchartered waters with time-tested, age-old experience. And like Maruge, if we stay the course, we shall become a true global powerhouse.

Mr Kibati is the Director General, Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat. mugo@vision2030.go.ke