From: Shem Ochuodho
It is with great sadness that we celebrate the life of the Late Archbishop Dr David Gitari (http://www.nation.co.ke/counties/Hundreds-attend-Gitari-funeral/-/1107872/2027338/-/whduay/-/index.html), Former Head of the Anglican, even as we commemorate also our Heroes. It is even with equal disappointment that one of the Motions I ever moved while in Parliament (I had been de-whipped for refusing to knee-toe with KANU) was the ‘Heroes Bill/Fund’.
But first, Dr Gitari. He was not only a great man of God, but also of man! I fondly recall three incidences with him:- firstly, in 2001 as the clouds were gathering with the then opposition coming together to dislodge KANU from power, I had the fortune (as Convenor/Secretary of the National Alliance for Change, NAC, that later became NAK before being NARC – and in Swahili meaning Muungano wa Mageuzi http://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Rainbow-Intrigues-Coalition-Government/dp/9966744207) to visit Dr Gitari at his home then next to State House. He was one of the few key Clergy-heads we had to see in our pursuit to find a multi-sectoral team to push the strategy to bring about what we thought would be a ‘Better Kenya 4 All’. Dr Gitari was passionate about democracy and justice for all. And he was brave. Unlike most of our ‘top’ clergy, he rarely looked at things with the ethnic prism!
The second encounter was when NAK/Mageuzi had its first rally in Embu, and he personally turned up to grace and pray for the rally. He was eloquent and very clear in his mind the Kenya we all desired! He didn’t mince words either. At that time, President Kibaki, Late Kijana Wamalwa, Hon Charity Ngilu, Prof Nyong’o and I were in contention for a ‘Compromise’ candidate to take on KANU! Dr Gitari greatly contributed to unifying the opposition!
The third and final time I met him was early this year during the Presidential Debates organized by the Church at All Saints Cathedral. The Gitari I saw was a pale shadow of his old self. He was frail – but the spirit remained strong. As I and a colleague held his hand to walk him to his car – I prayed and wished he had more years to live and share his wealth of experience with other Kenyans, Kenyanists and Africanists. On reaching the car, I handed him an autographed copy of Dawn of a Rainbow (in which he is prominently featured) and bid bye. Little did I know that would be the last to see him!
As we celebrate Heroes’ Day – Dr Gitari is my Hero, and I dedicate today to him. Fair thee well Your Grace, Shujaa Halisi. Greetings to Fr Kaiser (among those to whom Dawn of a Rainbow is dedicated), Bishop Muge, Bishop Okullu, and several other Men and Women of God who dedicated their lives to service of mankind and for the realization of the illusive ‘Better Kenya 4 All’ in our lifetime.
R.I.P.
Comrade Shem