Sacrificing for humanity not driven by gains…. 

People such as Mahatma Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Tom Mboya, Martin Luther King Jnr et al are among some of the international luminaries who sacrificed their lives to secure political freedom for humanity in different parts of the world.

In Kenya, some of our freedom fighters such as Me Katilili, Ronald Ngala, Argwings Kodhek. Raila Odinga, Kenneth Matiba and Mzee Jomo Kenyatta are among the many Kenyans who selflessly fought for political and economic liberation in our liberation history.

Even in organizations such as Mau Mau (this happened to be one of the most dominant) among others, our forefathers including mothers joined in the liberation struggle and eventually Kenya won her freedom.

Many of the freedom  fighter are no more but we somehow continue enjoying the fruits of their sacrifices, labor and efforts.

Scores of the actual freedom fighters are still alive today in different parts of the country despite being old and in poor financial conditions but we still celebrate their efforts…..

……Still cognizant of the pains and suffering that most of the MAU MAU fighters suffered during what is described by some as an uprising, a group of about 5228 of the former fighters appealed to the British government for compensation for the injustices suffered. Also cognizant of the possibly legal consequences and especially after new documented details of the violations meted out to the fighters were revealed, the government opted to pay the claimants about sterling pounds 19.9 million in 2013 (about ksh 31,840 million at current rates).

The compensation, apparently, is yet to reach the victims 13 years later and hence recent years’ increased agitation for payment.

Sadly many of the claimants are now deceased and many in poor health.

Sadder still is the reality that thousands of others died and left their family in gross poverty given that the fighters’ lives were disrupted by the war and many of their families got dispossessed of land and other resources. Most of their children missed education opportunities and were thus terribly disadvantaged after Kenya gained political freedom.

This group was hardly represented in the claims made.

Yet, the compensation route taken by the British government may beg some moral issues & questions many years into the future… .

This may appear like a ‘green light’ to inflicting suffering and injustice especially where the pain and suffering ‘inflicters’ could feel that they have the financial power & strength to later pay for the pains and suffering in compensation of different forms…

The other moral dilemma could be on whether people, including patriots, who freely sacrifice and offer their skills, resources and lives to save a country or a cause or situation should do this expecting some form of compensation or financial gains.

Essentially and in all reasonable means, patriotism and love for one’s country, family, clan or community and cause should be motivated merely by love country and justice and not any material or financial gains or even popularity or fame.