Gatekeeping the struggle: The quiet tragedy of activism in Kenya

In the story of Kenya’s long march towards democracy, some names, among them, Gitobu Imanyara, Martha Karua, Rev. Timothy Njoya, Wille Mutunga and Njeri Kabereri have earned their place in the annals of our democratic struggle. They were part of a pantheon of heroes who stood firm against the repression of the single party state; they fought hard, took risks, endured state harassment, violence and detention as they championed the second liberation. They were the conscience of the nation that helped to shine a light in its darkest hours.But, history, like time, is an unforgiving judge. It remembers both the valor of youth and the compromises of middle age. For some of the activists, the moment one of their own enters State House, the calculus of protest changes. What follows, most often than not, is a tragic arch of compromise, gatekeeping, ethnic loyalty and total alienation from the very struggle they once defined. This, indeed, and to the shock of many, happened in 2002. A critical mind is then left to question whether political activism in this country is in pursuit of higher democratic ideals or whether it serves ethnic interests.Get Full Access for Ksh299/WeekBold Reporting Takes Time, Courage and Investment. Stand With Us.Unlock Full AccessUnlimited access to all premium contentUninterrupted ad-free browsing experienceMobile-optimized reading experienceWeekly NewslettersMPesa, Airtel Money and Cards acceptedAlready a subscriber?Log inFollow The Standard
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But, history, like time, is an unforgiving judge. It remembers both the valor of youth and the compromises of middle age. For some of the activists, the moment one of their own enters State House, the calculus of protest changes. What follows, most often than not, is a tragic arch of compromise, gatekeeping, ethnic loyalty and total alienation from the very struggle they once defined. This, indeed, and to the shock of many, happened in 2002. A critical mind is then left to question whether political activism in this country is in pursuit of higher democratic ideals or whether it serves ethnic interests.Get Full Access for Ksh299/WeekBold Reporting Takes Time, Courage and Investment. Stand With Us.Unlock Full AccessUnlimited access to all premium contentUninterrupted ad-free browsing experienceMobile-optimized reading experienceWeekly NewslettersMPesa, Airtel Money and Cards acceptedAlready a subscriber?Log inFollow The Standard
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