Jaramogi Oginga Odinga's book, Not Yet Uhuru, is as relevant today as it was 40 years ago. It strikes me that the very governance issues that he was addressing in 1960s, 70s, 80s, and early 90s are still rife today. The last Chapter, titled, OBSTACLES TO UHURU, reads like an address to today's breed of politicians. Following are quotations on how Jaramogi would address our current problems:

On distinctions between pre-independence leaders and the current political class he wrote:

"To the early generation of leaders, politics meant struggle, keeping close to the people to maintain their confidence, building unity to overcome the powerful enemy. To the later generation of leaders, politics can mean public standing, handsome salaries, shiny motor cars, and the manipulation of party branch and government office to stay in power because it brings personal advantage" (p 250).

On Kitchen Cabinets that have led to economic disasters such as Goldenberg and Anglo Leasing:

"A government by a small circle of leaders could too easily be influenced by forces against the national interest" (p 284).

On overdependence on Western aid and investment:

"If our aid and investment come from one source only we can banish the prospect of pursuing an independent policy, for we will be brought under control by the withholding of aid, or by some other economic pressure". We must (therefore) break this predominantly Western influence, and develop relations with both east and west" (p 285).

"It would be an insult to our dignity that a foreigner should tell us what is right for us (p 295).

On hawkers' daily fights with local governments:

"Failure to (let the masses) attain full economic freedom will rob Kenyans their political freedom" (P 285).

Jaramogi's words of wisdom were published in 1967, but nobody listened. We at Kenyaimagine have a major task of reviving Jaramogi's dream for accountable and responsible leadership.