I Refuse to Die

by Wa Wamwere, Koigi; Kennedy, Kerry; Richardson, Nan

• ISBN13: 9781583225219
• ISBN10: 1583225218
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2002-11-05
• Publisher: Seven Stories Press

Summary

An extraordinary account of how a laborer's son rose to challenge the power of despots, I Refuse to Die is both the autobiography of one gifted man who rose above the horrors of colonization, and an uncensored history of modern Kenya. The book is infused with the freedom songs of the Kenyan people, as well as dream prophecy and folk tales that are part of Kenya's rich storytelling tradition. Tracing the roots of the Mau Mau rebellion, wa Wamwere follows the evolution and degeneration of Jomo Kenyatta and the rise of Daniel arap Moi. In 1979, wa Wamwere won a seat in the parliament, where he represented the economically depressed Nakuru district for three years. An outspoken activist and journalist, wa Wamwere was framed and detained on three separate instances, spending thirteen years in prison, where he was tortured but not broken. His mother and others led a hunger strike to free him and fellow political prisoners. Their efforts brought about a show trial at which Koigi was sentenced to four more years in prison and "six strokes of the cane," and escaped Kenyaand probably executiononly through the exertions of human rights groups and the government of Norway.

Author Biography

KOIGI WA WAMWERE is a political activist and writer. Born in Kenya in 1949, he has been fighting for social change in his home country for decades. He was imprisoned in Kenya five times between 1975 and 1996, spending a total of thirteen years in prison, including periods during which he was tortured. His execution was averted only by the combined efforts of the Norwegian government and human rights activists around the world. Today, wa Wamwere continues to put his life on the line for human rights, inspiring those around him with his clear vision and personal strength. Wa Wamwere lives in New York City and Kenya.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	7	(2)
Foreword	9	(2)
Kerry Kennedy Cuomo
Nan Richardson
Introduction	11	(2)
Family Tree	13	(2)
A Kenyan Timeline	15	(22)
Peoples of Kenya	37	(2)
Childhood 1949--58	39	(67)
Mau Mau Years 1952--59	106	(49)
Seminary Years 1964--68	155	(20)
Crossroads 1969--73	175	(10)
Homecoming 1973	185	(25)
Detained by Kenyatta 1975--78	210	(25)
Moi Years 1979-	235	(29)
Moi Detains Me 1982--84	264	(11)
Limbo 1984--85	275	(6)
Exile 1986--90	281	(6)
Theater of the Absurd 1985--89	287	(7)
The Hunt 1987--90	294	(11)
Treason 1990--92	305	(11)
Revisiting Olenguruone 1993	316	(11)
Second Trial for My Life 1993--95	327	(21)
Darkness Before Dawn 1995--96	348	(9)
Freedom 1997	357	(10)
Notes	367