The dawn of multiparty democracy in Kenya in 1992 ushered in a new era of freedom for millions of Kenyans, but for Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin Muema, it marked the beginning of a nightmare that would last for almost three decades.
At the time, Muema was a rising star in the army, having graduated top of his class at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the UK. However, his father’s business partnership with opposition leader Mwai Kibaki, who had just lost a hotly contested presidential election, would prove to be his undoing.
When Kibaki opened an office in Muema’s father’s premises, the young officer was branded a mole and forced to resign from the army. He was subsequently denied gratuity and pension benefits and even arrested on trumped-up charges.
Despite being vindicated in court, it took 27 years for Muema to receive compensation for the injustice he suffered. By then, he had lost the prime years of his life and was CEO of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya.
Muema’s story is a tragic reminder of the toll that political rivalries and power struggles can take on innocent lives. It is also a call to action for the Kenyan government and other stakeholders to ensure that the rights of citizens are respected and that justice is served, no matter how long it takes.
As Kenya continues on its path of democratic growth and development, it is important to remember the sacrifices and struggles of those who came before. May Benjamin Muema’s memory inspire us all to work towards a better and more just future for all Kenyans.
