By Nani Njoroge Mungai
When an old person dies, say the Wahenga, a library burns. The class of 79-84 had approximately 230 members which work out to about 12,650 years of experience by this group. Some of the lessons we have learned are simple, some complex, some messy, and all permutations in between.
Before we lose our collective wisdom and lessons to the fires of time it would be useful to ponder how we can pass on some of that to the next generation. I have some personal thoughts;
1. Committees and WhatsApp have their uses but effective execution is not one of them. If we are to make an impact Individuals must step up and own a cause and become its relentless driver. Daily plodding and goading, roping in those they can to achieve the clear goal for the cause. Search your soul, pick your cause, step up and drive it. Don’t throw an idea for others to drive. Step up.
2. Bring back some glory to our dear Patch. A team of the Old Cambrians has already done an excellent job of developing a master plan for the schools’ revival. Look for it (don’t be lazy and ask for someone else to look for it and post it), identify a part that YOU are willing to work relentlessly to achieve. With a firm driver, followers niwengi.
3. 40% of Kenya’s GDP is contributed to by SMEs. In our group are captains of industry, senior executives of large corporates, successful businessmen. People who know how to untangle the daily twists of doing business. The SME sector lacks corporate structures, processes, skills, coaches, and mentors. Will this treasure trove of knowledge burn up one by one over the next 30 years or will someone step up and do something… Charlie, Austin, HM, Joe …
4. Politics: We may vilify them till the proverbial cows come back home but unless we destroy the state as we know it, they will remain the most powerful force for change or destruction of our communities. Join elective office. Kimari, one of us, has shown what one determined man can do. Visit Mathioya and look at what he has done on water and roads. (we may see national politics differently but at the local level, I BOW ! )There are numerous MPs that we know who at the local level have made transformative work. If politics is your calling step up. MP, MCA, Governor go for it.
5. Policy: We have scholars and thinkers in the group. Don your thinking hats and adopt your communities and purpose to provide impactful policy solutions there. You have written enough papers, now use the insights to drive change. Don’t ask me how, you are the thinkers. Get the solution as well as the delivery mechanism for it. Bethink tanks for your MP, MCA, Governor, Your local women’s Chama that is running a posho mill. Bring good ideas but better still know your landscape and work with it as it is. You will not get an ideal community to work with. But that is why you were given more brain cells than the rest of us. Step up and use them, the same fire awaits them.
6. Nawewe je, I hear you ask as you read. I will retire from the law on 20th June 2023. I have purposed to dedicate my next phase of life working on “…using public spaces to bring back community and vibrancy in our cities…”. I have mumbled my dream to some of you. I have acquired an office that will be dedicated to this work and I will unveil my plans on this forum at the opportune time.
• As we continue to reminisce and occasionally complain here let us also consider putting this vast 12,650 years collective experience to some impactful use for the next generation. The fire will come when it comes.
