This archive report was first published on 8 December 2019.
Published on December 8, 2019, by Caroline Njung'e, a renowned author, this article highlights the worrying trend of millennials being ignorant of Kenya's history.
While discussing a story idea with a colleague, Caroline was shocked to discover that the younger journalist had never heard of Wambui Otieno, a freedom fighter and activist who made headlines in 1987 and 2003.
Wambui Otieno's story is a testament to the bravery and determination of women who fought for their rights in the face of adversity. In 1987, she took on her late husband's clan when she sought to bury his remains at their farm in Ngong, Nairobi. The clan, however, wanted the remains buried in their ancestral home in Siaya, leading to a lengthy court battle.
Despite the court's decision allowing the clan to carry out the traditional burial, Wambui Otieno's actions sparked a national conversation about the rights of women and the importance of respecting cultural traditions.
However, Wambui Otieno's story is not an isolated incident. Many millennials are ignorant of major events that shaped the world, including World War II, The Renaissance, The Holocaust, and the Mau Mau Uprising.
As we seek to become a more modern society, we are gradually abandoning our roots, losing touch with our history, and forgetting the heroes who paved the way for us.
The consequences of this trend are far-reaching, with the loss of our languages, customs, and traditions. Many families, especially those in urban areas, communicate in either Kiswahili or English, with children often struggling to hold a conversation in their mother tongue.
This December holiday, hundreds of grandparents will struggle to communicate with their Kiswahili and English-speaking grandchildren, highlighting the urgent need to preserve our languages and cultural heritage.
