Comrade Pheroze,
Dear Pheroze, you didn’t prepare us for this transition. It feels like it happened so fast, so suddenly. We were together two weeks ago in Mathare, where you were recuperating and full of life.
Though we grieve, I find comfort in knowing that you have joined your comrades in the struggle for social justice, Comrade Pio Gama Pinto and Comrade Bildad Kaggia. Before your transition, I hope you told Comrade Kaggia that you were writing a book about your experiences with him. Please also greet Mama Wambui Kaggia, and let her know that you spoke of her and her powerful stance on memory, that we must not only remember our heroes but also those who betrayed our struggle.
The Gen Z of this country carries that wisdom in our minds and hearts, as we take up the mantle of social justice and dignity, moving forward.
I tend to believe that in the journey of life, we are sometimes blessed with rare individuals whose presence, however brief, leaves an indelible mark on our hearts and minds.
To me, that was you, my dear comrade Pheroze.
I hold close the memories of those evenings we spent around your kitchen dining table, sharing chevda and coffee while you sipped your Coke. Our conversations about the state of the country and what we must do next still echo in my mind.
Your gentle laughter, your compassion, and your commitment to justice and activism made you a beacon of light to many, even for those like me who were fortunate enough to cross your path.
Though our time together may have been limited, your influence was immense. Your intellect and insight were beyond measure, yet you carried them with humility and grace. You embodied the essence of selflessness, always prioritizing the collective good.
You believed deeply in the power of activism to bring change, not just through words, but through action. You demonstrated this in courtrooms: quiet, persistent, and determined.
Your commitment to social justice and equity in this country and your unwavering advocacy for the rights of the marginalized were nothing short of inspiring. Through your work, you showed us what true leadership looks like, not in seeking recognition, but in staying true to the values and principles of social justice, and in serving others with utmost dedication.
Comrade Pheroze, in the time we spent together, your impact was profound. Your wisdom continues to resonate, inspiring those of us who were touched by your life. We are forever grateful for your sacrifices. You will always be remembered as a wise and selfless intellectual whose legacy lives on in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know you.
And as for us—those still here, fighting for dignity, justice, and a better Kenya—we will continue the struggle in your memory. We will breathe life into the Gen-Z Memorization Campaign, and write your name alongside the martyrs of our generation, like Rex, and the 70+ young people killed by Ruto and his regime.
With much admiration, always.
Comradely,
Njeri Mwangi MSJC|Organic Intellectuals