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The 2007 Award

Cry of the Oppressed by Ndikaru Wa Teresia

 

 

Nominated by:

  • Kenya National Library Service, Nairobi, Kenya

 

Publisher of Nominated Edition
Ndikaru wa Teresia ISBN 9966050183

 

the complete A-Z listing of nominated authors
ABOUT THE BOOK
The people of Sabasita hated Western rule collectively and successfully fought for their independence. No sooner had they taken a sigh than their fellow Africans turned to be colonists. A class of the rulers and the ruled emerges. The rules became gluttonous thus "everyman for himself and God for us all" . What was thought to be freedom turns out to be doom.
Since independence, Sabasita has experienced three leadership regimes. However, all have been characterised by authoritarianism. Thus as they recollect memories of colonial rule, life is no better as what they witnessed then, is still what is being observed in their "free sabasita". Civil society which could present their interests, continued to be subdued. Some of the leaders in civil society like the church, when accorded a chance to speak against evils in society, had been co-opted into the system. It becomes a tool of suppression and the innocent "people" are preached to on obedience to the law. On the other hand, the church is keen to get its dues in form of offertory every worship day.
During the second regime when Dam'Rut rules, the situation becomes worse and the people are determined to overthrow him. It is as if they are a curse in this land, because having thought they had united against a common enemy, they end up creating a new one. Sabasitans are however, optimistic for a better tomorrow, but when would this be ?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Father Ndikaru Wa Teresia is a well-known activist on Environmental and Human Rights issues. He has made a remarkable contribution to the rights of the oppressed people especially in Thika and in September 14th, 1992 led a mass demonstration of about 3000 people against KEL Chemical Factory in Thika whose toxin chemicals were affecting the residents of Thika. Fr. Ndikaru was born in Kamirithu, Limuru in Kiambu District of Kenya in September 2, 1957, a few months after Freedom Fighter Dedan Kimathi wa Ciuri was arrested by the British Colonialists.
Educated at Kamandura Primary School in Limuru; Kigumba in Masindi, Uganda; Queen of Apostles Seminary for "O"and "A" levels; St. Augustine's Seminary, Bungoma; St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Nairobi. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Urbaniana Pontifical University in Rome, and Masters Degree in Sociology (Disaster Management) from the University of Nairobi.
He is currently serving at the Holy Family Minor Basilica Nairobi and working on another book entitled "Pollution and the Equality of Urban Life: A critique of policy and practice in Kenya".
Fr. Ndikaru is also a prolific writer and for several years as Editor of Kenya Episcopal Conferene's National magazine, "Mwananchi".



 

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