Lessons From A Man Who Was A Walking Tower of Wisdom
Today as I sat glued to the screen thanks to technology(courtesy of KTN) for over four hours,I felt like I was watching a great movie;a movie that was so interesting and shouldn't have ended.The only peculiar thing was that the lead star,the main actor was passive,the audience were indeed the main actors.
Speaker from speaker they eulogized him,each with something different to share about the fallen hero.It is uncommon to have a funeral so filled with humor as his was.I even had a notebook and kept writing down a point,a lesson to learn from the eulogizers who have had the chance of living a day or more with the late Hon.Michuki.
But it was Prof.Margaret Kamar's who brought out a whole and clear picture of who exactly the late Minister was as a person.As one of the clergy had said earlier,a tree's height is only known after it has fallen,and this seems true of this fallen industrious man of Kenya.
Although many good things were said,let me just share a few highlights that i grasped for the sake of those that did not have a chance to follow the proceedings.
From Prof Kamar;
- From the Ministry, Margaret spoke and noted Michuki was the hardest working minister.
- He loved reading about policy; he will get in office at 7AM and read policy while waiting for 8AM meeting.
- One thing she remembers is him saying he did not understand why workshops are held to review a consultant review report of yet another consultant’s report.He called these 'unproductive processes that did not add any value'
- Cleaning our environment is not a choice,it is a MUST.
- Rivers that cross city give cities value and if you visit many cities, most expensive buildings are built next to a river, if there is one.
- She said has a university graduate and experience but learned so much from Michuki who mentored her greatly.
- Michuki was a family man who loved his wife and children immensely
- When one would ask him how his wife is doing, he will have a great smile that said it all.
- He said much as people like to delegate, there is one thing you must never delegate and that is your spouse to anyone, even to your children.His wife was his business.
- His wife was the leader and a tower of the family prayer.
- He believed in her prayers and that’s what has kept the family together and given him the drive to do what he did.
Moi was at his best as he graced the occasion,and he was one of those who gave a realistic and relevant message.He caused ripples of laughter when he said that death was inevitable and the only way,and that he too,as well as his good friend Hon Mwai Kibaki,were all on the way and hoped they will all meet there(in heaven).Later on,the President laughed off at a joke made of him by Hon Raila when he referred to him as ;Nyayo'.
He praised Michuki's discipline and management style which enabled him to create jobs both in public and private sector.
He noted that during Michuki's tenure as a Permanent Secretary in Finance,every cent was accounted for,a perfect way,he said of killing corruption.
But most important from his speech,which had a rich spiritual content,was his assurance to the family that,although mourners can convey their condolences,God's grace is indeed what will be sufficient for them.
From Hon Mwai Kibaki,a longtime friend and ally,
As usual,the President started off with his carefree approach,though this was perhaps not expected of him, since being as emotional as he is and given that Michuki was a great confidante of his.But he took it all lightly and spoke with a lot of humor.
He said that he had been close to Michuki but 'not long enough '.He wished they had both lived to a 100 years on earth.
He took pride in Michuki,since despite his involved in business and politics,he never abandoned his family. He urged those that work to always remember their families,and caused laughter when he talked of those that forget their families just because of work.He expressed confidence in Michuki's children and said he was not worried about them since they are all grown up,educated and responsible.
He said that Michuki was a man who kept his word and upheld what he believed in;he never got swayed or conformed just because other people were doing so.He therefore urged Kenyans and especially leaders to embrace consistency and avoid changing 'ovyo ovyo'
He asked Michuki to pray for those that he has left behind,now that he has gone ahead and will be meeting more powerful people.He caused a roaring laughter when he said that we all going the same direction;'Kwani unafikiria utaeda wapi?'he asked as the rest of his phrase was drowned in laughter.
And so it went on and on and on..........Kajembe,Raila,Kalonzo etc all shared something about this hero.If i were to write everything,I could go on and on and never exhaust all that was said.
That brings me to conclude that the Late Michuki was a walking tower of wisdom,and although just like any other human he had his weaknesses,there are great lessons that can be learnt from his life,especially by the youth.As young people,we should change our attitude of wanting to get rich without planning to work hard.We should plan for our future and that of our children,since as Michuki once said,'You will eat your youth in your old age'.We should look at 'being rich' beyond having cars and mansions,but as instilling the values of hardwork,responsibility,accountability,intergrity,honesty etc since they determine what kind of a life we shall live.
Therefore,as one of the Clergy said that death can bring change, may Michuki;s death bring change.Let us all try to emulate what this great man did,and not want to be exactly like him.Let us learn not to wait until things are done so that we can take credit,but rather to do things and take responsibility of what we do.
May his soul Rest In Eternal Peace.
May his soul Rest In Eternal Peace.
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