History does not forget those who sacrifice, at a cost and pain to themselves, to make life better for the many.
One such person, whose sacrifices, fortitude, resilience and magnanimity will be embossed in the history of post-colonial Kenya, is Engineer Raila Amolo Odinga.
Cynics and critics should know that Raila has not been fighting for himself. It was not always about the struggle for the crown.
The crown would be the ultimate reward for sacrifices, but it was never a do-or-die for him. He does not seek shortcuts, or play foul, to claim the prize. But the due process sometimes disappoints its respecters.
Motivational writer John Maxwell tells us, "Successful people realize that the door to the room of success swings on the hinges of setbacks and opposition."
Raila is a student of a fair contest that would produce logical consequences. The football-loving politician has always wanted a level playing field. One in which competitors would congratulate each other for playing free and fair, without falling for foul.
Cynics who ask why Raila does not play rough, rude and crude, misunderstand the man. He detests offensive fouls that hurt honest competitors. He prefers raising the standards of the game, process and results.
Raila has made so many sacrifices in-between political contests since 1997. The compromises for the common good show the iconic politician is more misunderstood than understood.
Raila's enigmatic influence on admirers comes free, on account of the magnetic influence of his persona. It was never about buying support or bullying potential allies into acquiescence.
The icon's ultimate quest was not always the presidency. Even that for him is not an end in itself. It would be a vantage point to advance the goodness he has always sought for the vulnerable masses.
Raila has been, and will always be, a force of purpose for the victims of politically motivated injustices. The man has always had so much going for him. He could easily have lived and enjoyed the comfort and privacy of personal plenty.
But the former Prime Minister chose public life of denial, jail, detention and harassment to champion causes that would secure and protect human rights.
History can be distorted, misconstrued and misunderstood, but its salient layers cannot be undone; won't be redone. One needs to understand what drives certain people, to appreciate their motivations and actions.
Raila has a fine pan-Africanist purpose, far universal than many appreciate. He is the prophet and the building stone cynics don't know. Western conspiracy against pan-Africanists is legendary.
When the Kibaki State, through a comprised Electoral Commission of Kenya, snatched victory from a winning Raila in 2007, the former Lang'ata MP did not cry over spilt milk. He overruled the advice of radicals, who preferred the last person in the room would shut out the light on Kenya.
Raila relented because he had a large purpose than personal quest for vanity. He gave Kenya a second chance to rework its electoral processes.
The seeds of the 2010 Constitution germinated over the ashes of the 2007 post-election violence, through the willed push of Raila, the reformist politician and others.
When the electoral agency bungled the 2013 presidential election to deny him victory, Raila's advice was, "Don't cry for me; cry for Kenya".
Then came the sham presidential election of 2017. The muddled process was a throwback for democracy. Kenya cried of missed opportunities throughout the Jubilee era of errors.
The 2022 Supreme Court wasn't about 'hot air, wild goose chase, fools' errand, vain attempt, worthless pursuit, or nonsense'. The lost cause wasn't the presidency for Raila. It was an attempt to improve the quality of the electoral process.
History isn't meant to be forgotten. It should illuminate the future. When history is treated casually, with amnesiac compromises, it leaves a people fumbling, mumbling and bumbling.
