Luvei Times Kenya's Social Online Magazine

I met Masinde Muliro before his death, Prof. Wajackoyah

George L Wajackoyah Kenya Presidential candidate 2012

Kenya’s transformation from a one party state following the repealing of the infamous section 2A in the early 1990’s to a multiparty democracy was a transition that will go down the annals of history. At a time when KANU’s grip to power could only be well illustrated by heightened corruption and mismanagement of public utility, hope was not lost as a group of determined politicians risked their lives to save the country from an eventual slump.

Amongst these multiparty heroes was the late Masinde Muliro, a freedom fighter and arguably the most vocal campaigner for the restoration of Multi-party democracy in Kenya.

Luvei Times writer Edmond L. Waluse speaks to Prof. George Luchiri Wajackoyah, a Kenyan don based in the US about the life of the late Masinde Muliro. Prof. Wajackoyah is a former senior Kenyan policeman who met and made friendship with the doyen of Multi-party democracy. Prof. Wajackoyah, a surviving member of the original team that investigated the missing and subsequent murder of Kenya’s former Foreign Affair Minister Robert Ouko, has declared interest in the Presidency of Republic of Kenya in the 2012 general elections.

Here is an excerpts from the interview with Prof. G L Wajackoyah:

Luvei Times: How best can you describe the late Masinde Muliro.

His illustrious political career from the fight for independence in the 1950’s to the second liberation struggle that led to Multi party politics, define him as a man of principle, courage resolve and vision. Muliro had vast experience in life. He experienced apartheid as a student in South Africa. He experienced humiliation by the Kenyatta and Moi governments. He took interests of Kenyans at heart. He was well conversant with the founders of the U.S. constitution. That is why he organized a confederation of regional leaders to draft a Majimbo constitution. These leaders included Moi, (Rift Valley), the Late Ronald Ngala (Coast), Pio Pinto Gama, Alibhai Sharif and many others. His stand on devolution of power became the beacon of admiration for world leaders including the late Abdel Naser, (Egypt), Ben Bella, (Tunisia), Patrice Lumumba, (Congo) and the late Captain Thomas Sankara of Burkina Faso. Muliro had met and consulted with Mahatma Gandhi while in South Africa as a student.

Luvei Times: Did you have any relationship with the late Masinde Muliro? If so, what was the nature of your relationship?

Yes, I considered myself his protege. He was my mentor in politics.

Luvei Times: Political analysts rated Masinde Muliro as more focused in politics. Do you think he would have made it to state house in 1992 had it not been for his death?

Yes he would have made it and that was the reason he was eliminated. His enemies found a way to his exsuscitate arrhythmia.

Luvei Times: Muliro teamed up with the likes of Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, Martin Shikuku, Philip Gachoka and Oginga Odinga to form FORD (Forum of the Restoration and Restoration of Democracy) but they later fell out without attaining their objective; did the then government under retired president Moi lend a hand in the ensuing brake-up?

The original FORD founders were all heroes and they attained their objective. Section 2A of the Constitution was repealed and we are now benefiting from it. Every Kenyan of legal age is free to run for the highest office in the land. As for the break-up, it was inevitable since these heroes were all independent minded people whose cause was to free the nation. Each one of them was a leader in their own right so it was not surprising that they would each want to lead the country. Let’s not give the Moi regime more credit than it deserves. Matiba was imprisoned and poisoned to the extent that he was no longer a threat. He only survived because of excellent medical care.

Luvei Times: As a presidential aspirant in the forthcoming 2012 general elections, would you conclude that the dreams of Masinde Muliro and fellow proponents of multiparty democracy succeeded in their quest?

I am not sure I understand your question properly, but I will venture to answer by saying YES and NO!!
One of their objectives was to give Kenyans the freedom to make a choice of which party they wanted to represent them. This has been achieved in theory but if the last election results and the mayhem that ensued is anything to go by we still have lessons to learn. Strengthening institutions as opposed to individuals is the key to achieving this freedom. No one person is more important than the country they represent.
The other objective they had was to alleviate the suffering that Kenyans go through on a daily basis, these include impunity, corruption, poverty and lack of resolute leadership at every level of politics. This objective has unfortunately not been achieved. By recycling the same politicians you are saying you can not do any better. What do you expect when you make the accused person, the prosecutor and judge? Anything but justice.

Luvei Times: It is on record that although the late Masinde Muliro was a ruthless negotiator, he was a proponent of peaceful but focused politics; what are some of his achievements and contributions that have stood the test of time?

He negotiated with the colonial masters to give Kenya independence and release Kenyatta who went on to become our first President.

He reconciled the leaders of FORD and remained steady fast as Deputy to the late Jaramogi.

He was second after Jaramogi oginga Odinga to pay me a special visit in London for consolation. This was the turning point of my life when he advised me to focus on education and always play neutral and disengage in controversies.

He never compromised his principles.

He was reached out to all Kenyans and settled many in Tran Nzoia regardless of tribes.

He was a good listener and his presence meant peace.

Luvei Times: The late Muliro traveled to London in 1992 for a funds drive in aid of his party Ford, a journey that subsequently culminated to his death on 14th August soon after arriving back home. Did you meet while in London? What kind of discussions did you have?

Muliro did not travel to London for a funds drive. Several Kenyans including myself arranged for his visit. I requested my friend Raju Patel to buy a ticket for him. We had a one on one discussion regarding the future of my country. We discussed issues (some of them very sensitive). I questioned him about the presence of Nicholas Biwott on the plane and he explained that it was a coincidence. He acknowledged having discussed politics with Biwott before they boarded the plane. He also acknowledged briefing Biwott about his previous Ford campaign trip in Kerio. Part of the discussion included the shocking news of the death of Hezekia Oyugi whose body was still in London and the coincidences that followed. Muliro, Biwott, and Ketan Somaia.

Luvei Times: Looking at Masinde Muliro’s profile, where would you place him today as far as Kenya’s history is concerned?

I would place him in the books of history as one of the most pragmatic heroes of freedom fighters.

Luvei Times: Masinde Muliro’s death was controversial and indeed some quarters accused the government of having been involved. Were there any post-mortem analysis done, and if so what did the results point at?

There was no post mortem done on Muliro. Whatever happened or whoever made that decision has some good explanation. In addition, even if it was customary, I do not see any sense if post mortem was carried on the late Kijana Wamalwa’s body, considering that they belonged to the same community.

Luvei Times: Would you consider Masinde Muliro your mentor politically?

I will answer this question again for full measure. Yes he was my mentor.