Matiba marched with church to fight for democracy

The late Kenneth Matiba. The amount he was awarded last year by the High Court now stands at Sh1, 855,550,147. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • An apology to the Matiba family and other detainees from the concerned State agents would be a good send-off gesture.
  • Murang’a County honoured him by establishing the Kenneth Matiba Eye and Dental Hospital for affordable treatment to the public.

Kenneth Stanley Njindo Matiba was a humble and honest family man.

He was a pioneer in many fields, including sports and business. And most of all, he was a giant of democracy.

It is evident that Mr Matiba was created for leadership.

In his 30s, he served as a Permanent Secretary before establishing flourishing businesses in tourism and education sectors.

He had earlier served as Chairman of the Kenya Football Federation before resigning to join active politics through Kanu.

An astute politician, he fought aggressively for Kenya’s second liberation, paying dearly with his health and businesses.

HEALTH

He was detained without trial where he suffered a stroke due to negligence by State officials.

This weakened him physically and psychologically. The once vibrant politician retreated into an immobile world where he stayed until his death.

This was an unbelievable transformation for an agile man who had climbed mountains and played active football.

His business empire began crumbling, with some being put under receivership and others facing closure.

He lost friends and associates, many of whom are now trickling in to condole the bereaved family.

Although he was recently granted compensation of over half a billion shillings for the illegal detention, the damage was already done.

An apology to his family and other detainees from the concerned State agents would be a good send-off gesture.

DEMOCRACY
Matiba’s liberal thinking extended to his household, where he supported his daughter’s singing career at a time when such vocations were unacceptable to well-off families who moulded their children to be doctors, engineers and other coveted professions.

Matiba also reached out to the less fortunate. As a memento, in 2016 the Murang’a County Government honoured him by establishing the Kenneth Matiba Eye and Dental Hospital for affordable and specialised treatment to the public.

During the second liberation, Matiba worked with the church and clergy to fight for democracy.

In the 90s when the call for multiparty democracy was gaining momentum, the church found its voice in advocating for human rights and democracy.

Many members of the clergy who opposed the political system were branded as tyrants, with some facing imminent arrest.

Others were bludgeoned in public and yet others paid with their lives.

Father Ndikaru wa Teresia, Archbishop Emeritus, Ndingi Mwana’ a Nzeki, Reverend Timothy Njoya, and Rt Reverend Alexander Muge were among these protagonists.

CHURCH'S PLACE
Today, the church is relatively mute despite blatant excesses by State agents.

The face and character of the current political and religious class is cloaked in a mutually benefiting relationship where the church has opened its altars to politicians to insult perceived opponents and their respective communities.

The media does not shy away from broadcasting this unhealthy union.

Lately, the Matiba household has been a hive of activity, receiving high profile political and business figures.

Many of these people fought by his side for democracy, but others supported the brutality meted out by the State.

This coming together of political friends and foes to grieve a fallen hero is an enriching experience, one that should bring healing and reconciliation to victims of State brutality.

For now, the family is in need of comfort.

The writer is a chaplain and lecturer, Technical University of Kenya