For those of us then involved in the struggle for the re-introduction of multi party politics in Kenya, Mr Chiluba’s victory in Zambia in November 1991 served as a significant morale booster.
His election was the clearest signal to us that we were not fighting a lone or losing battle in Kenya, that Africa was in the mood for another sweeping political change and that it was possible for independence parties that had run our countries to ruin since independence, to be defeated.
As a ruler, he may have strayed from his promises, but his initial expansion of civil and political rights made Zambia get seen as a model of democracy on a troubled continent. It gave us reason to push harder in Kenya, and an example to point to, of what the changes we were looking for would mean for our people here in Kenya.
It is unfortunate that he eventually slipped into Kaunda's own methods of suppressing opposition and was dogged by corruption allegations into his retirement. Such are the perils of leadership without adequate constitutional checks, balances and guarantees.
On behalf of the people of Kenya, and the rest of our continent still struggling with issues of democracy, good governance, accountability and reforms, I mourn President Chiluba. I wish that we could draw lessons from his pioneering role in introduction of opposition politics, learn from his mistakes and be stronger in our resolve to move our countries and our continent forward.
God rest his soul in peace.
RAILA. A ODINGA; EGH, MP, PRIME MINISTER.
NAIROBI; JUNE 18, 2011.
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