He stood up against two different regimes in the struggle for Kenya's second liberation.

His persistent fight for democracy and freedom of conscience earned him at least 13 years in detention and several years in exile, after his defiance to the status quo irked the regimes.

Koigi Wa Wamwere, the former Nakuru North MP and political detainee is among the few remaining heroes from Nakuru whose actions and contribution played a major role in shaping the political history of the region.

Born in Rugongo location of Nakuru’s Bahati sub county, the eldest of Mr Wamwere’s nine children, was to become one of the important sons of the soil.

Read: What led to the fall out between Mzee Moi and Koigi

In his one on one interview with Mtaa Wangu, Koigi describes himself as a man who believes principals and ideals are an enemy of oppressive characters.

He prides himself for the role he played in opening the country’s democratic space and promoting social justice. The defeat of the independent Party KANU’s candidate Uhuru Kenyatta in 2002 was a major milestone in ending the oppressive regime.

This was a new dawn for the country. So important was the defeat to Koigi that he had to shave his dread locks in honouring his promise to the voters.

For Mr Koigi, Nakuru county is close to his heart as it is a place he has called home for the 70 years he has lived on earth. He also served as Nakuru North MP.

Despite his roles to the country as a national leader, Mr Koigi was also keen to oversee the social economic and political progress of his home area where he always retreated when trouble came his way.

As a Nakuru resident and leader, Mr Koigi has seen a lot of things happen in the county both social, economic and political. He however has experienced some moments which to him shaped the region in a major way.

One of these events include the 2007/08 post-election violence where Nakuru was experiencing what appeared to be ethnic cleansing.

“The 2007/08 ethnic cleansing was intense and brutal but we managed to come out strongly and committed ourselves never to fight again. Since then there has not been a similar war in this county as it became a reference point for the communities and leaders,” said Koigi.

The second one was when form Nakuru town MP Mark Mwithaga became the first person to be elected MP in Kenya while in Prison.

The late Mark Mwithaga.

Photo credit: COURTESY

“It was such a beautiful moment when Mwithaga won against the government’s candidate while in prison. “Nothing like that had ever happened before,” he said.

Also Read: How Nakuru rose to become Kenya's 'political capital'

His case in which he was charged with treason in 1990 was also a defining moment for him. According to him the plan by the government to have him convicted and sentenced to death on trumped up charges were thwarted by the backlash from the opposition and international community.

As an MP, Mr Koigi claims he managed to end ethnic discrimination in the region as well as protect public funds in the form of the Constituency Development Fund.

He said “I was able to protect people’s money and show them it’s peoples to promote economic development by fighting corruption and initiating many projects in the constituency,”

The liberation hero however relegated that the county is still lagging behind in terms of development and promotion of justice and equality.

This he attributed to the poor leadership who he said lack vision and will to improve the lives of the people. He however remains optimistic that things might change if the people decide to choose better leaders.

“My dream is to see counties where everybody will have equal chances irrespective of their religion, tribe or social background,” said Mr Koigi.

As his legacy, Mr Koigi wants to be remembered as a champion for democracy and human rights who believed in national values.

“I want people to remember me as somebody who championed, did his best and even suffered for 13 years’ incarceration because I wanted to promote development and protect them from corruption and dictatorship,” he says.

Related: Shujaa: Veteran journalist who mentors upcoming reporters in Nakuru

During this year’s Mashujaa day, Mr Koigi called upon Kenyans led by the leaders to embrace each other and celebrate the leaders who emerged across different generations.

His mother who is currently ailing remains his greatest hero following the support she has given him throughout his life.

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Joseph Openda