TOM MBOYA
PROPHESY OF THE SUN | MBOYA'S THOUGHT
We all must love the song "Thuon ok ru".
Odera Akang'o, Ruoth of Central Nyanza in the colonial 1910s, sang the song when he was being led to his slaughter by the white men.
The king lost his temper with the incessant and unquenchable demands for more troops from Luos during the heat if World War 1.
Luos had committed in an earlier "Ogirmiti" (Agreement) with the British 1904/5 to provide personnel to the administration.
The British later betrayed Luos and contrived the deal that our people should send sons to the unknown the war in unknown lands.
Rwoth Akang'o thoroughly whipped a British District Commissioner in violent disagreement to a disrespectful episode.
The oppressive colonialists then sent their army to arrest, imprison, torture and kill our King.
Till this sad date, his body has not been returned for proper burial.
No compensation nor apology has been provided to Luos nor his family for the unlawful murder.
But today it's not about Odera.
It's about the prophesy in the song.
THUONDI
That song predicts that Luo heroes of courage, wisdom and strength and will one day rise, like a phoenix from the ashes, and revive the community from the rot, damage and rape of outsiders.
Luos looked forward to the time of the predicted "thuondi".
5th JULY 1969
Unfortunately, in 1969, another "thuon" who's was taken to be the "Messiah" was stuck down by the enemy's arrow of sadness.
The time of redemption had once again been postponed at the cusp of time.
"Yie nimo kochiegni gowo".
PROPHESY
While Odera "Makaka", left us with prophesy and inspiration, TJ Moya ("Rateng'"), left a treasure of intellectual riches.
Not just for Luos.
Not just for Kenyans.
But for all Africans.
TOM'S THOUGHT
Jarusinga's intellectual achievements stretch for miles, but his 1967 piece "A Developed Strategy for Africa: Problems and Proposals" summarises his thoughts on how the continent ought to develop:-
1. Governance systems should reflect African values.
2. Inter- continental Infrastructure is a priority for opening up economies of our people. There should be high quality intercontinental roads, ports and rails..
3. The focuss of Africans should be on intra-African trade.
4. Aid and donor support will only work if incorporated into local intellectual thought.
5. Best opportunities should he extracted for each sector.
6. Technology and education is key.
7. Risk profiling and management of key risks such as security, food and
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