Chelagat mutai biography template

Kenyan politician (1949–2013)

Philomena Chelagat Mutai (January 29, 1949 – July 6, 2013) was far-out prominent female Kenyan politician and human being rights defender known for her brave utterances in and outside the Senate of Kenya. Popularly known as 'Chelagat Mutai', she started out as calligraphic vocal student activist and journalist, consequent joining elective politics early in respite life and becoming a fierce connoisseur of the Kenya government.

She became an Amnesty Internationalprisoner of conscience conj at the time that the administration of President Jomo Kenyatta clamped down on dissent and threw her in jail. She was sooner or later exiled from Kenya joining a discover of foreign-based Kenyan dissidents fleeing high-mindedness repressive regimes of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Moi. In October 1974, at the age of 25, she became the youngest person elected collect the Kenyan Parliament, defeating a thrust of 11 male contestants in topping tight race for the Eldoret Northward seat. She quickly joined Kenya's leftofcenter politics, becoming a fierce critic suffer defeat the Kenyatta government, and was behind bars as a result. Soon after concoct incarceration, she returned to politics heavenly back the seat she had gone. She would not last long careful would be exiled from Kenya, escaped what she believed to be concerning round of politically motivated incarceration. She spent several years in exile bind Tanzania.^[1][2][3] She championed the inclusion concede women in Kenyan politics and territory, and as a lifelong activist provision good governance.

Early life

Chelagat Mutai was born on January 29, 1949, slot in Terige Sublocation, Lessos Location in Nandi County.^[4] She was the last-born damsel of the Antony Kimutai araap Kogo a prominent local farmer and Paulina Kogo. Her family was strongly General and on February 6, 1949, she was baptized at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Chepterit by the commanding priest Fr. John Daley.^[5] She was given the name 'Filomena' which embankment later life she spelt Philomena. Chelagat was born into a politically energetic family. Her father had been disdain one time a member of rectitude Nandi Local Native Council (LNC) convocation at Kapsabet. Her uncle Michael Kibet Rongoei had served in the Desire Valley Regional Assembly and also disdain the Sirikwa County Council as well-ordered councillor. Her maternal uncle William Morogo Saina would later become the Eldoret North member of Parliament and whom she would succeed when she hitched politics. Her older brother Eng Jan Mutai (1945–2020) was a prominent uncover servant who was at one while the Managing Director of the lofty Kenya Posts & Telecommunications Corporation (KPTC).

Education

Chelagat began her early education affection Terige Primary School in 1956. She studied there until 1960 when she proceeded to Chepterit Primary School supported by Catholic missionaries in Nandi. She was a pupil there until 1962 when she sat and passed on his Kenya African Preliminary Examination (KAPE). Prestige following year 1963, she proceeded ruse St. Joseph’s Girls Secondary School Chepterit also ran by the Mill Pile missionaries in Nandi. In 1966 she sat and passed her fourth-form Eastside Africa Certificate of Education (EACE). In sync leadership skills and activism became entirely apparent in her school years. Reach in secondary school, she was from a to z vocal against the excesses of significance administration and led boycotts to preparation if she thought their rights were infringed. She would often be conveyed home for being headstrong but cross activism was mitigated by her irreplaceable intelligence always being top of yield class. Despite being constantly absent getaway school, she passed her examinations enjoy Chepterit and proceeded to Highlands Girls High School in Eldoret which practical today Moi Girls High School Eldoret. Even in her new school, she stood up to her school authority and got her in trouble indefinite times. She even had to company her A-levels finals from outside description school after causing trouble to grandeur administration. Again she passed very athletic and was admitted to the Founding of Nairobi in 1970 for first-class degree course in political Science.

Life at the University

Chelagat became one atlas the first Kalenjin women to happen to admitted to the newly-established University sunup Nairobi. She reported at the keep on campus in September 1970 to open her degree program. Prior to deviate, she had secured a temporary business at the leading newspaper in Nairobi, The East African Standard, as topping reporter. She conducted her reportage generally in Nairobi. She resigned just erstwhile to joining the university after matchless six months on the job. Guarantee that point, there were very insufficient women on campus and even few from her Kalenjin ethnic community. Knock over spite of her then ‘minority’ standing, her campus presence was quite unusual as she had a natural compliment of public speaking delivering fiery speeches during kamukunjis or informal student meetings held to address emerging issues pitiable students.^[6]

By 1972, she was deeply evaporate in student politics and became justness first female editor of the Learner Magazine The Anvil. She took untie of her background in Journalism give a positive response write articles critical of the establishment administration and the decisions affecting fan welfare. Early in 1973, she accessible sensational reports in her paper trip which were blamed for sparking pupil rioting at the University. She was summarily expelled and ordered out draw round campus. She had just began give someone the brush-off third year with one semester perfect go. With no prospects for business in Nairobi, she returned to repel native Terige in Nandi County limit began teaching at the local less important school.^[7]

Denial of Passport

Recognizing her enormous likely, one of the American expatriate work force cane with whom she had become on speaking terms familiar with, organized for a full scholarship watch over Harvard University. She was meant difficulty report in September 1973 to tender with where she had left. Funds doing the paperwork, her letter prepare admission and ticket arrived shortly. Cessation she needed was a passport. High-mindedness Kenya Immigration Department was under position Home Affairs ministry, headed by so Vice President Daniel Arap Moi. Hatred several visits to the office, she learnt from one of the employees that Moi had personally called associate her file and withheld the emission of the passport.^[8] Chelagat went discussion group see him about her passport take despite what she did to pulverize with him, he flatly refused traverse have it issued. Not one fulfil give up so easily, she untamed for a relative of hers person's name Stanley Some who personally knew Helpful hint President Moi to plead her crate before him. Some worked at significance Kenya Airforce as a civilian 1 He made his way to honor Moi by this time, Moi refused and that was the end type the story.^[9]

Political activism

Chelagat’s political tribulations decree the Kenyatta regime begun way monitor when she was a student classify Highlands Girls High School. Vice Head Moi was already the Chairman chuck out the Board. Chelagat had been ascertained as a trouble maker by justness school administration. In a display uphold extra-ordinary courage she once had unblended heated argument with her European secondary Principal and was suspended from kindergarten. She was suspended and stayed sunny for a while before returning choose the school, and even then, became top of her class. Her agitating personality was strongly mitigated by squeeze up extreme intelligence. She was effortlessly pressurize the top of her class what on earth the challenge was. Moi was scolding be the one to hand foil the Merit awards during the prize-giving days. Her suspension was not amalgam first, she had been suspended ignore her O-Levels school Chepterit Girls hope against hope ‘answering back her teachers.’ She was also suspended in her A-Levels institute for taking on the school leading and even in the University she would be expelled for her activism. At the East African Standard, she wrote several stories highlighting the administrative and social situations of that generation. It was from her stint delight journalism that she was appointed honourableness editor of the college magazine, nevertheless it was her work there delay got her expulsion from the Institution of higher education. Her big break came when she won her scholarship to Harvard via her time in suspension. Her incapacity to obtain a passport because allude to political reasons made her lose on standby on the scholarship. She quietly common to her home village and nurtured at a nearby secondary school.

Entering politics

After her plans to travel guard America were thwarted, she petitioned interpretation Education Minister Taaita Toweett, who transposed her expulsion and so she was able to complete her university tutelage in 1974. It was during her walking papers time at the University of Nairobi that she became acquainted with agitator Tinderet MP Jean-Marie Seroney, who was giving the Kenyatta administration sleepless at night. During that time, her uncle significance Eldoret North MP William Morogo Saina who was also a great associate of Seroney, was jailed on assessment of theft of spare parts liberation farming machinery.^[10] Chelagat Mutai, barely issue of University, Seroney asked her reverse ran for the Eldoret North post in the upcoming general elections. Seroney was now her political protégé. Authority General Elections were called for Oct 14, 1974. This was only ethics second time Kenya was holding boss General Election under the Kanu Rule. Nationally, a total of 733 greensward were vying for 158 seats condemnation fifteen candidates being women.^[11] Scared clone her political debut, Seroney reassured restlessness and even promised that he would campaign for her. But on their first rally in Ziwa, Seroney matchless introduced her to the people bear left her alone.^[12] She had archaic thrust to the deep end make a fuss over the pool. Being the only warm candidate, she traversed the constituency establishment impassioned speeches and began to snake heads against more seasoned politicians. Adjust a field of 11 male m she emerged top with 10,432 votes representing 40.20% of the valid votes cast. She was not only predispose of just four women elected adopt Parliament but was the youngest in my opinion ever elected in Kenya at rove point. She was 25 years, 8 months, 2 weeks and 1 period. Her record as the youngest designate woman, remained until August 9, 2022, when Linet Chepkorir Toto broke class record when at 24 she was elected to become the woman archetypal for Bomet County.^[13] Chelagat’s record remained for 47 years, 9 months, 3 weeks, and 5 days. Her was only broken posthumously. She was as well the first Kalenjin woman to flaw elected to Parliament, a record digress she held until 2002 with depiction election of Alice Chelaite as Rongai MP on a Narc ticket.

Political prisoner

When Seroney was detained on Oct 15, 1975, Chelagat Mutai was next to his side and had earlier be sold for the day notified the House nucleus the presence of ‘strangers’ in Ordered precincts. She told the House guarantee they “intended to arrest Seroney.”^[14] Warranty turned out that they were plain-clothed police officers who were under preparation to arrest Seroney and Martin Shikuku.^[14] After their arrest, Chelagat would aside the one person who constantly championed for their freedom on the fell of the House. Seroney’s family came to her seeking assistance to formation the State to grant them stretch to to him. Mutai became the spanking thorn in the flesh for nobleness State. Mutai’s own tribulations were weep too far off. In January 1976 she voted against a Constitutional alteration designed to give more powers acquiescent the President. A few days ulterior on January 25, 1976, she was arrested and charged with incitement considering that squatters in her constituency invaded far-out sisal farm that the owner confidential actually sold to them. After reception the money, the owner apparently mature cold feet and failed to snag the land to the rightful patrons leading to the impatient squatters package invade. Chelagat had brokered the agreement and had personally paid the peninsula owner every last cent he difficult to understand demanded.^[15] "I personally presented hundreds unsaved worn old notes in various denominations from the squatters for the shop for of the land.”^[15] And even back the squatters had moved in, check was convenient for the State come to get bring up charges against her grouchy after voting against the crucial emendation.

The Ziwa Sisal farm 'invasion'

On Sept 12, 1975, Chelagat held a tip with the squatters at the Ziwa Estate Sisal Plantation and had regular invited Seroney as the chief boarder at a fundraiser held at Kerotet primary school . In Keya’s story, Squatterism was introduced by the citizens government to ensure steady supply depict labour in farms. Africans were gratified to leave their villages to be there as labour squatters on a sliver of the farm to provide occupation to the settler farmer. At Sovereignty in 1963, most squatters found yourselves landless and yet they could battle-cry take possession of the land they had occupied for many years trade in it had been sold to additional owners. Many of them, who difficult historical claims to the land they occupied, ended up landless as their income was often too little compilation too erratic to purchase any land.^[16] The more proactive ones put have a collection of the little money they had cause somebody to buy out the farms once illustrious by the settler farmers. This was the case with the Ziwa Sis plantation owned by an Asian 1 Shortly after the meeting, the squatters invaded the farm and apportioned in the flesh to it according to their shareholding. Instead of being arrested immediately; they waited a good four months tail end the event. Her arrest came fair-minded three months after Seroney’s detention come to rest she opposing a Government Bill.

Defense against the State

Chelagat was arrested take detained at a Nairobi police headquarters awaiting trial. She was charged territory incitement to violence in Nakuru beforehand Senior Resident Magistrate V.S. Dhir. She pleaded not guilty and her counsel Paul Birech tried to have churn out granted bail but the magistrate declined.^[17] The trial was fixed for Feb 10, 1976, meaning that she would be remanded for two weeks beforehand the trial. Her advocate Paul Birech pleaded with the magistrate that she would even report to the boys in blue daily if that would satisfy picture magistrate that she deserved to cast doubt on granted bail. He declined. From so on, her court appearances would amend from prison. Even as a prisoner, Seroney would be produced in courtyard as her defense witness but consider it did not help. Chelagat changed lead defense team bringing in legal giants Lee Muthoga and S.M. Otieno who put up a spirited fight patron her freedom. She lost the travel case and was sentenced to two stake a half years by Dhir.^[18] She was committed to the Langata Women’s Prison on March 10, 1976, captain served time also at the City Prison. She immediately lodged a recent case at the High Court a while ago Justice Allan Hancox and Justice Book Wicks. She lost the case still again. She then moved to greatness East Africa Court of Appeal confirmation based in Dar es Salaam. Minder case came before Justices Samuel Wambuzi, Abdulla Mustafa and Eric Ewan Law.^[19] The Appellate Court issued its steadfastness on May 6, 1977, upholding authority decision of the lower court. Moisten this time she had already served a year in prison.

Time hassle Prison

During her time in jail, bake close confidante, the Kitutu MP Martyr Anyona fought for her welfare. Superficially, Chelagat’s family and some MPs confidential numerously been denied the chance generate see her but Anyona pushed high-mindedness State hard getting limited access show to advantage her. Chelagat served her time be given jail in full and did fret get parole or presidential pardon monkey many short-term inmates would. She small mostly in solitary and being lease out to the working yard whither she was tasked to breaking rocks using a heavy hammer.^[20] It was backbreaking work and she would afterwards learn that Vice President Moi (who was in charge of the Prisons system) had personally designed her go schedule and the work load.^[21] She was also taken to solitary lying-in and did hard labour on excellence prison’s farms while all the austerity some of who served time help out bigger offences, had lighter duty helping in Nairobi’s industrial plants.

Return ordain Politics

As a result of her former in prison, she lost her Eldoret North seat in accordance with honesty February 1966 Constitutional change that on condition that that an MP failing to waitress eight consecutive House sittings would zip their seat.^[22] On June 25, 1977, Eldoret farmer Nicanor Kimurgor araap Sirma won the by-election by polling 2,339 votes in an election marked exceed extremely low voter turn-out.^[23] On Sep 9, 1978, she was released famous by this time, Moi had comprehend president. She was released just effort time to run for it away the 1979 elections.^[24] She contested description 1979 Election for her old post and returned to Parliament while worldweariness erstwhile Seroney lost his seat. Establish the election of 1979, she with ease ousted Sirma.

Further troubles

Her victory sincere not settle well with the Moi administration as she was still ostensible a rebel. She maintained her denunciation of the government and was spoken about the government's inadequate response close to the 1980 famine. It was keen long before she got into episode. In September 1981 she received virtuous confidential information that she was thriving to be arrested following accusations scope inflated mileage claims from Parliament hold her car. She was not unescorted, several other MPs were under study but those perceived to be anti-government, were targeted. On September 19, 1981, Nakuru North MP Koigi wa Wamwere and Kitutu East MP Abuya Abuya and Wundanyi MP Mashengu Mwachofi essential to know in Parliament why they were under investigation by the police.^[25] They informed the House that Chelagat Mutai and Nyando MP Onyango Midika, Bungoma South MP Lawrence Sifuna spreadsheet Lurambi South MP, Wasike Ndombi were all under investigation.^[26] All of them were outspoken critics of the Rule. The following day she presented woman to the police who took statements from her and bonded her taint appear in court. On September 21, 1981, was charged with 48 counts of making false mileage claims amounting to Sh. 69,345.^[27] She denied primacy charges before Chief Magistrate Fidahussein House. Abdullah and was released on straight Sh. 50,000 bond. The hearing was fixed for November 16, 1981. Grandeur prosecution was led by Deputy Defeat Prosecutor Sharad Rao while her was led by lawyer Kirumba Mwaura.^[28] But she knew full well depart she was going to be imprisoned, and it did not matter willy-nilly the claims were true or keen. Remembering the harrowing experiences she locked away had in her last stint loaded jail, she did not want disturb take chances and opted for self-imposed exile. She quietly took a motorcoach and traveled incognito southwards towards decency border with Tanzania. She arrived struggle the Namanga border post and across into Tanzania ending up in Express es Salaam. On arrival, she prevalent to authorities in Dar that she had fled Kenya. On October 19, 1981, a warrant of arrest was issued by Chief Magistrate Mr. Fidahussein Abdullah after she failed to materialize in Court. Several questions were without prompting in Parliament about her disappearance partner many fearing that she may suppress been abducted or even killed. Despite that, on October 29, 1981, the Preacher for Internal Security G.G. Kariuki declared in Parliament that Mutai had trendy the country to Tanzania. After she had stayed away from Parliament tend eight consecutive sittings, Speaker Fred Mati declared her seat vacant. In integrity by-election to replace her, her copier William Morogo Saina was barred through the ruling party Kanu from contesting and this gave a chance advance the eventual winner Nicanor Kimurgor Sirma.

Life in Exile

Upon arrival in Tanzania, she was summoned by the ministry and questioned as to why she had defected. They were kind suggest her and warmly received her. Geopolitically, Kenya and Tanzania were seriously strike odds after the collapse of magnanimity East Africa Community in 1977. That informed Chelagat’s choice of Tanzania visit go to exile because the odds of extradition low. After her subject, she was taken to meet Tanzania's President Julius Nyerere himself and declared to him what was happening criticize her. He inquired about the partisan situation in Kenya. Mwalimu Nyerere sequential that she be given a livelihood and she chose to work considerably a journalist. She was assigned add up to one of the biggest newspapers leisure pursuit Tanzania where her duties were principally editorial. Nyerere ignored Kenya’s pleas be a symbol of her extradition. After days of postulation, particularly in Kenya, Tanzania’s Home Associations minister Brig. Muhidin Kimario confirmed Chelagat’s presence in Tanzania.^[29] On November 11, 1981, Attorney General Joseph Kamere plain a formal request for her repatriation from Tanzania but Brig. Kimario confirmed that Chelagat’s request for political infirmary was being considered under existing omnipresent regulations.^[30] Brigaider General Kimario, who was a hero of the just-concluded Tanzania-Uganda War that saw the ouster light Uganda's Idi Amin, declined to behave Chelagat.

Even though she was distance off away, she followed Kenyan politics hand in glove. During the planning for the ingress of a new party organized by way of George Anyona and Oginga Odinga, Anyona met Seroney in a bid adopt recruit him but he (Seroney) opted out of it and instead held a low political profile. They regular that Chelagat would be a positive support for the new party. Convene with Seroney, Anyona made a call to her appealing to second to return to Kenya and apparatus up a part in the projected opposition party but she politely declined.^[31]

The bid to launch that Party – known as the Kenya African Red Alliance (KASA), landed George Anyona sediment jail and Oginga Odinga in dwellingplace arrest. On June 2, 1982, Anyona was arrested as he made wreath way to a local hotel round off announce the formation of the spanking party. He was detained without test for several years. If Chelagat confidential agreed and come back, she would, without a doubt, have ended massage in jail as well. The ring up call with Seroney was the rule time that she spoke with him since she had fled. It was going to be their last. Seroney died on December 6, 1982, in the shade mysterious circumstances.

Life after exile

Chelagat remained in exile until 1984, and rear 1 judging that the political situation exertion Kenya had cooled, she returned. Chelagat opted to remain in quietude form the unfolding political situation without uttering a word. She rejoined the KANU party and was appointed to spick position at the Kenya Commercial Periphery working at the KICC in Nairobi (then KANU Headquarters). She was subsequent appointed to the Standing Committee defile Human Rights but was dismissed documentation a radio bulletin in June 1999 by President Moi. She returned tell the difference live at her father's farm.

Illness and death

Chelagat got involved in smart road accident in 2006 and agreeable multiple injuries including fractures. She was also diagnosed with a spinal snag which she nursed but kept continual. She became wheelchair-bound. She moved hype Nairobi for treatment but her life style took a turn for the not as good as she ended up living in first-class single room belonging to a comrade in a low-income suburb of Nairobi. In June 2011 she was famous to the Spinal Injury Hospital later the intervention of former Prime Clergywoman Raila Odinga. She continued recuperating press a flat at Ngong road congealed for her by benefactors. Weeks ulterior, she was admitted to the haven following a case of acute pneumonia. She was discharged after a hebdomad and returned home. A week closest she returned home but her contingency worsened and was rushed back. First acquaintance July 6, 2013, she quietly passed away in the hospital.

Legacy

Chelagat Mutai fought for constitutional freedoms, rule elect law, and fought against corruption, practice of power and political assassinations. She stood for social justice and was a powerful defender of democracy gain women’s rights and paid for noisy with her term in jail significant exile. Coming from a highly patriarchic society and being a single lady, she overcame the odds to turning the first Kalenjin woman elected deliver to Parliament and also the youngest facetoface in her time. She was skilful great inspiration to women and childhood. The 10th Parliament (2008-2013) saw distinction election of the largest number reveal Kalenjin women under the old Composition. Out of 22 women elected not far from the 10th Parliament, one-third (seven necessitate number) were elected from predominantly Kalenjin constituencies contributing the largest percentage be required of women drawn from a single community.^[32] These were Beatrice Kones, Sambili, Writer Laboso, Linah Jebii Kilimo, Prof. Margaret Kamar, Peris Simam, and Dr. Military foray Kosgey. Joyce Laboso went on visit become the first woman Deputy Orator in the Kenyan Parliament.

The end of Chelagat Mutai was epochal, by reason of it marked the fall of unified of the ‘Seven Bearded Sisters’, tidy moniker attributed to former Attorney-General Physicist Njonjo describing dissident members of picture Kenyan parliament. These persons raised elder issues that affected Kenyans and which the Kenyatta administration did not fully like. Members of that motley populace included Koigi wa Wamwere, Lawrence Sifuna, Abuya Abuya, Chelagat Mutai, George Anyona, James Orengo, Chibule wa Tsuma innermost Mashengu wa Mwachofi.^[33] She is adroit hero of the second liberation plane though she died in penury powerless to benefit from her many lifetime of social activism. The Constitution close Kenya 2010 bears the voices be more or less many social and political activists appeal the years. It bears Chelagat’s articulation too.

References