In its issue Vol 13 No. 1 of January 13 this year, The Home News published this article by Njagi Nderitu, (who was once a Nyahururu resident) the Home News columnist in Washington DC, USA. The letter is strangely prophetic and we reproduce it as it was, headline and all.
After I lost hope in our politicians most academicians, religious leaders and even most professionals, I turned to our sports men and women for some solace.
They have reasonably kept Kenya in the limelight in a rare positive way. Although I have always been a diehard soccer enthusiast, with our clubs and national team Harambee Stars perennially under-achieving I have for a long time found solace in the performance by our athletes at international meetings and events.
May it be at the Olympics or other meetings our athletic teams and individuals have performed exceptionally well. Who can deny that Rudisha made all Kenyans proud in 2010? They have over the tears given Kenyans something to smile about amid many other things to cry about.
Along the way our champions have been able to make money and to live decent lives. The commercialization of sports has given us and our sportsmen and women something to work hard for.
Oliech and Marigaalthough coming from a soccer dwarf that Kenya has become thanks to poor management are making a good living as professional soccer players. Many Kenyans have a reason to emulate them.
However it is in athletics where we have seen the real giants. In our local Nyahururu region John Ngugi, CatheleneDereva and Sammy KamauWanjiru are our heroes.
As Kikuyus say “Njambaniithagariarika”. (This can loosely translate to a champion is a source of pride to his/her generation). The huge amounts of money that those champions have made together with fame and celebrity status that they attract, however come with a tag of huge responsibility!
Real responsible champions cannot afford to let down millions of their fans and admirers around the world who look up to them for inspiration and direction. A champion cannot afford to live “as usual”.
He or she has to observe and live by the highest possible discipline. The judgement and rulings in the court of public opinion can never be ignored by a wise champion or a public figure. It matters a lot.
In any event the public holds the goodwill. The public has an unqualified interest and stake in the fortune and fame of a champion! A true champion may not damage that goodwill and trust.
I hosted Catherine Ndereba and other athletes in my house here in US in 2008. I promise you I felt very proud to be a Kenyan on that day.
Kogo and Ndereba had won my home town marathon earlier on that day and I decided to slaughter a goat in their honour. As we sat down for nyama choma and ugalithat evening i felt very proud to be identified with those champions.
They were full of grace, honour, and their demeanor was down to earth. That is what makes a real champion. None of them complained of any discomfort as I loaded them from there and later off-loaded them back to their five-star hotel from my old van!
I write all the above in view of what is going about in the life of Samuel KamauWanjiru. We have to set the record straight, unless and until Kamau is tried by a competent court of law, he remains innocent.
That is basic law or as they say criminal law 101! However the conduct of this young champion in the recent past has been called to question again and again. The bullying and violence carried out by a gang of his handlers most of them self-appointed guards, who follow him in pubs and other social places is well documented and ugly. When he was launching his illustrious career some years ago, Kamau drew a lot of admiration due to his humble beginnings.
His plight resonated with many young and old Kenyans in 2009, I had a very pleasant encounter with this young champion and I knew he was ready to continue winning. I was very proud to spend time with him and I will never doubt his abilities and talent.
Son of Wanjiru, my kid brother, I have a few words for you. You are young, talented and a champion and above all very rich. Please do not blow it up! Remember your humble beginnings, your mom, your siblings and above all millions of young people who are looking up to you as their mentor and idol.
You cannot indulge yourself in a self destruction path. Tiger Woods is suffering for an offence against his wife which would be no offence in Kenya. It will take him many years to repair his image; never mind it may never happen.
Michael Philips the swimming champion has suffered grossly in his reputation and finances after indulging in smoking the “holy herb” in a private party. He may never be able to set back the clock.
Had ZinadaneZindane of France not announced his retirement after 2006 world Cup, his career would have suffered a huge dent for head butting Marco Matterazi of Italy.I do not wish to remind you of the now very financially challenged Mike Tyson, Michael Vick and the jailed OJ Simpson. The list is endless Please do not go down that route.
Remember that you are an international champion and your conduct private and public will be judged by international standards. The bar and the stakes are very high for you brother! You got good champions to emulate Paul Tergat, Haile Gablessellasieand Ndereba are just a few.
My kid brother those who follow you around cheering you along in pubs and other social places are not your friends. They are your worst enemies.
Please, please, please, relax, train, eat healthy, drink less or no alcohol at all and remain a true champion. There is much more money and trophies to be won by you, please!
Last but not least, my brother, money is not everything. Your reputation and your future matters a lot. That which you cannot do in London, New York, Berlin, Boston and other international cities, please do not in Kenya or Nyahururu.
You are our ambassador at large. Those who idol you now will evaporate as soon as you get into trouble. Offload the baggage, you do not need idlers around you in the name of an army of guards.
I am not saying that you expose yourself, but true champions know where and when it is safe to eat, drink and sleep. One very last thing brother, true champions never never showoff.
Take this or ignore it but only your freal friends will tell you the truth when it matters. Let us stay our of trouble.
njaginderitu@yahoo.com
this article was speculative but its the prophesy as they say a profet isnt heard at home
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