Grand reunion: Pro-reform heroes vow to back "Yes"

They cast the picture of Kenya’s rogue past, complete with blood spilt by police bullets, whips, and cudgels. They retold the dream of their lives, which was to see a new constitution, but which for some painfully ended up in an early grave, hospital bed, or solitary wing of razor-wired prison facility. They told of how they planted the first beacon in the search for a new constitution on July 7, 1990 — which in reform corridors is referred to as Saba Saba Day — exactly 20 years ago, yesterday.

Their host, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, put it candidly: "’Saba Saba’ signalled the beginning of reforms and today we are on the eve of a new constitution, but repressive forces have ganged up against us. I am confident we will bring to fruition the new constitution on August 4. We must come together and put ‘No’ brigade to shame’.

He added: "Saba Saba is incomplete without (Mr Kenneth) Matiba and (Mr Charles) Rubia who were visited with cruelty that ruined their political careers and condemned them to frail health. They suffered in the hands of oppressors".

To inspire them, Raila began: "I have been sick in bed. But I have continued to pray that the Kenyan spirit that fought colonialists reincarnates and helps us in the ‘Yes’ campaigns. I am hopeful Kenyans will triumphantly vote for a new constitution."

His guests spoke about the separation from their families, the heartache of not seeing their children grow and wake up for school in the morning, and the torment of simply not being there for them.

The occasion was solemn but still they regaled the Kenyan media with the stories of how they braced themselves against the Kanu machine that did not brook opposition and whose word was law.

They looked back and reflected on the fear of tomorrow they shared, for they never knew where they would be. Many had died, suffered broken limbs, and even lost property and careers — the price they paid for return to multi-party democracy.

They came together without regard to party, tribe, and political persuasion. Their message was the battle is not over yet, and August 4 referendum is the day their dream for Kenya and painful struggle could be brought to fruition.

To symbolise their resolve and common goal to achieve what united them two decades ago, albeit while playing a potentially lethal cat-and-mouse game with security forces and informers, they joined hands.

Somewhere in the Proposed Constitution lies an attempt to scrap Kenyatta Day and introduce Heroes Day, as a tribute to those who have brought Kenya this far.

Yesterday, at Raila’s home the day seemed to have been celebrated in advance, and the declaration was they would stick together to the end. They also had one message for pro-reformists, "Let us put ‘No’ to shame."

Police cells

Each had his or her story on the reform ‘highway paved with teargas and tickets to police cells, but they all ended by linking the struggle in the 1980s through to the 1990s when one-party regime started falling apart, and the current reform effort picked up speed.

"I was hidden in a room in the US Embassy (because) we were treated like lepers, chased like rats, and tear gassed even in church,’’ said lawyer Gibson Kamau Kuria.

Water Minister Charity Ngilu, who was President Kibaki’s compatriot in the Democratic Party looked at the PM, who is recuperating at home after a week of hospitalisation, and said: "We miss Raila’s gem and mastery in political campaigns but like loyal troops that ants are, we will soldier on."

Former Kabete MP and human rights lawyer Paul Muite added: "I kept reminding Ngilu to wear trousers to (pro-reform) rallies."

This was because they would most of the time be broken up by riot police, whose cudgels and gun butts did not tell between men and women, children and the elderly.

Retired Presbyterian cleric Timothy Njoya, who prophetically predicted the sweeping gale of political pluralism in Eastern Europe in late 1990s would not spare Kenya, and who was later cruelly beaten up by hired goons in broad daylight, was there too.

He seemed to speak for the pro-reform personalities who did not make it to the ‘tea party’ when he said: "The time is now, we must give birth in unity to a new constitution."

The group of politicians initially called ‘rebels’ and later ‘liberators – and whose membership included President Kibaki and other top names in the Grand Coalition, such as Kiraitu Murungi, Martha Karua, and James Orengo, declared Kenya was on the eve of a new constitution.

They not only recounted the emotional and heady moments, but also prayed for the departed souls who fell by the way side and their relatives.

The old unity between the Church and pro-reform groups was symbolised by the presence of retired Anglican Archbishop David Gitari, who was target of Government warnings then to leave politics for politicians and use the pulpit to save souls.

Aluta continua

Raila, who occasionally exposed his bald side by removing Arsenal Football Club cap to show his visitors the scar on his head after the operation, declared in the spirit of the reform struggle then: "Aluta continua…Canaan is within sight and we must deliver a new constitution to complete the cause many have died for, others permanently maimed, and many widowed."

He added: "To Matiba and Rubia and many who fell by the way side, the only prize we can offer them is a new constitution."

Maseno West prelate Bishop Mwai Abiero joined Gitari and Njoya. They went down memory lane as they sipped tea and munched mandazis, confident the struggle was worth their while.

Njoya recounted how he was brutally bludgeoned by anti-reform forces in daylight: "I have been pregnant for 40 years with the new constitution … I ask all Kenyans to conceive this idea, even those in the ‘No’ so that we can deliver a new Kenya in unison on August 4."

The speakers who struck a conciliatory tone, and made clear they had buried the past, included lawyer Gibson Kamau Kuria, Muite, and Gitobu Imanyara.

Also present was Heritage Minister William ole Ntimama, who served a stint in jail over what he calls politically instigated charges and ODM MP Joseph Nanok. "I call this meeting a fellowship of like-minded people who share a cause to better Kenya," Njoya said.

As they stood in unity, they stoked memories of the other leading lights of the pro-reform movement at the time, including Raila’s father, the late doyen of Opposition politics Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, and late Kitutu-Masaba MP George Anyona, who dared register a political party in 1982, leading to arrest and an orchestration in Parliament to make Kenya constitutionally a one-party state.

Though they are in the ‘No’ camp, the day also brought back memories of former political exiles Koigi wa Wamwere and Wanyiri Kihoro. Also not left out in the memories were supportive and yet controversial religious leaders such as the late Anglican bishops Alexander Kipsang Muge and Henry Okulu.

It also stirred memories of such controversial and brave politicians as Martin Shikuku, George Nthenge and Mohammed Bahamariz, Salim Ndamwe, thelate Kijana Wamalwa, John Keen, Rashid Mzee, and Samuel arap Ngeny whose voices for change resonated across the country then — galvanising support for repeal of the unpopular and restrictive Section 2(a) that was the main barrier to return to multipartyism.

Freedom fighters

"The people you see here are true comrades in arms, patriots hardened by freedom struggles…we must soldier on and plant the flag of a new Constitution on Mount Kenya and commemorate that day," Raila said.

He also spoke of the significance of the day: "This day is as important as Kenyatta Day and as proposed in the new constitution we should rename it Heroes Day to bring on board all freedom fighters."

Raila’s wife, Ida capped the tea party with a moving speech: "It was difficult to explain to children why their father was in jail … No lawyer wanted to handle Raila’s case, no landlord wanted me to be their tenant after I was thrown out of Kenya High School. No visitor wanted to come by."

She added: "When I hired John Khaminwa to be my lawyer, they detained him. When I turned to Mr Kamau Kuria, they arrested him. I had nowhere to turn to."