NGUGI: Today’s leaders are selfish; we cheer them but forget heroes who fought for democracy
Charles Rubia during the interview in his office in Industrial area on December 10, 2012. He was a hero of the second liberation, challenging the government when doing so meant prison or death. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Charles Rubia, a hero of the second liberation, has passed on. At his funeral in Murang’a County, Kenya, many people spoke of his extraordinary legacy. President Uhuru Kenyatta said that if Kenyans could emulate Rubia just a little bit, Kenya would be a totally different place.
Rubia challenged the government when doing so meant prison or death. He suffered the former and escaped the latter by God’s grace. He was patriotic, seeing beyond the myopia of tribal lenses. In one of his last interviews, he revealed that he had tried to persuade Kenneth Matiba, another hero of the second liberation, to back long-time human rights and democracy crusader Jaramogi Oginga Odinga to no avail. Rubia, despite his considerable wealth and accomplishments, was humble and approachable, a far cry from the hubris and ostentatious displays of today’s politicians.
