Miguna speaks on his newly published book
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Updated 4 hrs 32 mins
ago
By Oscar Obonyo
Miguna Miguna, Author, ‘Peeling
Back The Mask: A Quest For Justice In Kenya’
What
is the motivation behind penning ‘Peeling Back The Mask’?
To tell my story, my journey, my quest for
justice. To reflect on my life and experiences. For historical record. To peel
back the culture of impunity, corruption, injustice, inequalities and
inequities bedevelling our country and society. To call for accountability in
governance and politics. To expose duplicity, deception, dishonesty and
hypocrisy. To move the reform agenda of our country forward. To celebrate our
struggles for liberation and demand rectitude from our leaders.
Coming after a tiff with your former boss and just a couple of
months to the 2013 General Election, isn’t your timing curious?
What is curious is your question. When is the right time to write
a book? Should we stop writing books and raising issues because of
electioneering? I thought that the best time to raise issues, to challenge
politicians and call them to account, is during elections. That is how it is
done all over the world. Why should Kenya be the exception? Leadership must be
earned through auditable track records. A leader must be able to account for
their past and present. They must account to the electorate for how they use
their time and resources. Remember that the leaders – the politicians – are our
employees. We hire them during each election cycle to serve us, to deliver
services, to advance and protect public interests.
My book raises issues that reasonable people ought to debate.
Exchanges during such debates should ultimately enhance not just the average
citizen’s participation in public affairs but result in the creation and
perpetuation of democracy, the rule of law and constitutionalism. Why should
anybody frown upon my quest for justice? What do they want to hide? Those with
different sets of information or arguments are entitled to advance or publish
theirs and the public should ultimately be the judge.
In virtually all modern democracies, public figures share their
experiences in public service through books. Many people who have served in the
American, Canadian and British public service have published their memoirs.
Former head of the presidency and secretary to the cabinet in South Africa,
Frank Chikane recently published his Eight Days in September: The Removal of
Thabo Mbeki. In September this year, Chikane is releasing another volume titled
The Things I Could Not Say: From A(ids) to Z(imbabwe). In both books, he meticulously
recounts all manner of encounters, experiences and discussions. Remember that
Chikane was the equivalent of Francis Muthaura. Yet South Africans haven’t been
frothing in the mouth condeming him and trying to muzzle him. Why? Because,
ironically, even though SA got its independence just recently in 1994, they
value freedom and are determined not to squander the democratic space they
fought so gallantly for. Why shouldn’t we do the same?
In the UK, Tony Blair’s former press secretary, Alastair Campbell
has now published unvarnished and largely unedited Diaries of some of the
intimate, secret and personal discussions and interactions within the Blair
inner circle. I believe he has now released five volumes of those, each more
than 700 pages long.
That is the equivalent of five Peeling Back the Masks! Yet you
have not heard the British falling over themselves over these publications.
Another Blairite, Peter Mendelson, published his The Third Man in 2011. Even
Condoleeza Rice has published her memoir, No Higher Honour, about the Bush
years. You are talking here about a former national security adviser and
Secretary of State. Nobody has cried state security!
For me, the timing is perfect. The book is not only about my life
working for Mr Raila Odinga. People should read and understand it first before
commenting. Everybody deserves a reasoned debate; not a cacophonous mumbo
jumbo. I hope we are capable of that.
Why didn’t you (publicly) raise some of the issues with regard to
alleged scams in the Office of the Prime Minister, then?
I did. Just read the book. I raised virtually every issue in the
book (with the PM) while I was working in the Prime Minister’s Office. Those
claiming otherwise are either ignorant of the facts or dishonest. Fortunately,
that’s not my problem.
What would you say to those who
view your publication as an attempt to scuttle Raila Odinga’s presidential bid?
Again, let them read the book. If Raila’s presidential bid is
scuttled by the truth, so be it. Life is not about Raila Odinga or Miguna
Miguna. Life is bigger and much more significant than that. Raila was not
created to be president. Nobody was. Not everything must be reduced to Raila’s
quest for the presidency. Why shouldn’t we question corruption in Government
and in the Office of the Prime Minister merely because Raila is desperate to be
president? If anybody suggests that after reading my book, he or she would not
deserve any further response.
Your book seems to be shaping political opinion already. Comment.
No comment. I hope and trust that the book
speaks for itself.
Some of the revelations are damaging to certain individuals and
border even on character assassination. Are you concerned that your book could
get trapped in a legal gridlock?
I find your questions, particularly this one mischievous. A novice
law student will educate you that truth is an absolute defence in these
matters. If I say that I saw Mr X steal Y; and I actually did see Mr X do that;
is that character assassination? If Mr Y tells me that one such and such a day,
I did Z; and I report that; why is that character assassination? Why is it only
character assassination when thieves, looters and drug dealers are exposed?
Deal with the facts staring you in the face from every quarter in this country.
Do your job as a journalist and tell Kenyans the truth. Avoid the cowardly
temptation to bury your head in the sand. That tendency and culture must end
and end fast. It is sickening...
What next for Miguna after publication of “Peeling Back The Mask”?
I’m thoroughly enjoying both the praise and the criticism, the
attacks and the abuse. These are the manure on which intellectuals, thinkers
and writers thrive. As the noise continues, I’m already putting ideas and
materials together on two more books. I thank you for the interview.
I like it when individuals get together and share opinions.
ReplyDeleteGreat site, continue the good work!
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