"Fighting for Wanjiku" is what defines the role of activists and civil society. Its spirit and meaning remain a myth and a theory yet to be unpacked. I doubt if Wanjiku really understands the true import of this statement. I hope not. But I think it is incumbent to cross-check the 'fights' fought by these "Wanjiku's fighters" with the true needs and aspirations of Wanjiku. Do they go together? Do they lead to a common or shared interest? If they do, thank God, Wanjiku should rejoice.
I tend to think this way: Wanjiku is not interested in flowery English and court battles. She is burdened by the "minute" daily problems in her locality. She is working her way out of this hell of problems. She doesn't care whether Kenya is ruled by a woman,a man,a white or an african. What is of interest to her is how to solve her daily challenges. The language she understands better is that which resonates with her needs and aspirations. She doesn't know if some people are waging battles somewhere on her behalf. She is completely disconnected from this. Literally,she is on her own world.
And this begs the questions; what are the true needs of Wanjiku? What is the rationale of remedying them? Should the world deal with Wanjiku directly or through proxies? Methinks Wanjiku is challenged by the health of her kith and kin. She aspires to see her children getting good education. She wants to sell her produce in peace and without intimidation. She is thirsty of knowledge - economically relevant skills. She is stressed by the danger posed to her health every time she welcomes a new life to this world. These and many others are what Wanjiku knows. Anything out of it is latin to her.
Wanjiku is tired of dealing with proxies. She believes in herself and only needs a simple "push". The fact that she has fought all battles of life is a true testimony of her wisdom and vision. Contrary to popular believes and opinions she has come out stronger and determined. She now has the confidence to chart her own destiny. A case in point is that of a woman who delivers in a bush in a far-flung location. Despite this life threatening challenge she manages to get through,thanks to the art of survival. This is incredible. Look at that woman who treks every morning for miles to fetch water. These are heroins. They need not big offices in town. Their need? "Respond to our needs right here and now!" This is their philosophy.
This therefore comes as a challenge to all of us; thinkers,students, scholars, community workers, governors, politicians,civil society etc to rethink the strategies we've used in the past in engaging with Wanjiku. Let's appreciate the fact that she (Wanjiku) understands herself better than the outside world does and that she needs a little "push" in terms of soft loans, civic education, business skills to pull herself out of darkness and condemnation of poverty.
(Wanjiku stands for the common citizen,the hoi polloi; the man and woman in slums,streets and villages)
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