Do we honour those who died on Saba Saba or the police who defended the Kanu state? - Comment
Bertolt Brecht, the famous German playwright, once posed in verse the question whether the pyramids were built by the Pharaohs or by those who "lifted the cragged stones at Thebes."
Brecht was challenging the orthodox model that records history from the perspective of the powerful. I was reminded of this debate by a TV interview a few days ago of Charles Njonjo, former Attorney-General in the Kenyatta-Moi dictatorship.
In this, as in earlier interviews conducted by journalist Jeff Koinange, Njonjo reflects on the Kanu years, speaks to various current topics and gives his assessment of past and present personalities.
But in his reflections and pronouncements, Njonjo makes no mention of the gross human-rights abuses under Kanu. He makes no reference to the sedition laws under which hundreds of people were thrown into prison, or the detention without trial of those who expressed independent thought.
Finally, nothing is said about the specially constructed torture chambers at Nyayo House, etc.
If a foreigner had listened to Njonjo, he would have concluded that life under Kanu was the best of all possible lives. In his commentary on various individuals, Njonjo talks admiringly of former army generals, police chiefs and heads of the secret police, calling some of them Kenya's heroes.
Now, if a former detainee or a torture survivor were to comment on the exact same issues and name his heroes, he would paint a very different picture of life under Kanu, and his heroes would not be those mentioned by Sir Charles.
So whose perspective represents the correct history of Kenya, whose values are consistent with our political aspirations as expressed in our new Constitution, whose heroes should be commemorated and honoured?
History is a contested site throughout the world. Why does denial of the Holocaust upset Israel? Why do school history books in Japan that deny Japan's wartime atrocities annoy Koreans and Chinese? And coming closer to home, why did Rwanda insist that the 1994 genocide be officially referred to as the Genocide against the Tutsi?
Well, because different versions of history convey different lessons and values. A history that denies the existence of the Holocaust, for instance, cultivates a mental attitude that would countenance a future genocide, whereas one that acknowledges it can inspire policies and laws to prevent it from ever occurring again.
In the same way, a history that records tribalism, theft and incompetence can inspire a culture and a value system more conducive to inclusiveness, honesty and diligence. A history that denies their existence prepares mental ground for their perpetuation.
Likewise, the heroes we honour reflect the version of history we subscribe to and, therefore, the values we would like our society to be based on.
Therefore, when we refuse to acknowledge that torture chambers existed under Kanu, as the remnants of the Kanu oligarchy — some still holding key positions in government — continue to do, is it not cultivating a psychological attitude that would allow for their rebuilding in future?
Is it not true that denying key leaders in government incited and facilitated tribal violence in 1969, 1992 and 1997 prepared the mental grounds for the ethnic bloodletting of 2007/8? When we deny the existence of mega corruption in government, are we not perpetuating it?
Brecht's poem is a series of questions. Likewise we might ask: When we praise the heads of the Kanu secret police, are we not missing the opportunity to send an unequivocal message that torture is evil and must be forever banished?
When we refuse to honour Wangari Maathai as a great heroine, are we not missing the opportunity to emphasise to the younger generation the values of courage, hard work and integrity she represented?
What version of history represents the best of Kenya? Who are our heroes? George Anyona or Kanu sycophants? Charles Njonjo or Oginga Odinga? Chelegat Mutai or Oloo Aringo? JM Kariuki or the ex-presidents of Kenya? Those who died on Saba Saba Day or the police chiefs who protected the Kanu state?
Our answers point to the kind of society we want to build.
Tee Ngugi is a political and social analyst based in Nairobi
