The United States of America Treasury Made a Surprise Announcement Yesterday That Rocked The Internet and Lit Up The Twittersphere.
The announcement was thus; Harriet Tubman,a legendary Black Abolitionist who singlehandedly freed over 300 slaves from the abject slavery and cotton-picking ways of segregated America,is going to replace Andrew Jackson as the face of the $20 bill. Making her the first woman ever to grace the front of America’s powerful dollar bill.
Making the announcement,Treasury Secretary Jack Lew also announced that Andrew Jackson – a white man known as much for his persecution of Native Americans as for his war heroics and knavish slave holding notoriety – will move from the front of the $20 to the back, making way for the widely-celebrated Tubman.
She’ll become the first black woman ever to front a U.S. banknote.
Tubman, who died in 1913 at the age of 91,escaped slavery in the south and eventually led hundreds of escaped slaves to freedom as a “conductor” of the Underground Railroad. After the slaves were freed,Tubman was a staunch supporter of a woman’s right to vote.
Harriet is more renown for the World-famous quote, “I freed a thousand slaves I could have freed a thousand more if only they knew they were slaves.”
The Wednesday announcement was perhaps the most sweeping and historically symbolic makeover of American currency in a century which also saw other women grace the $10 and $5 dollar bill albeit in less prominent positions.
The Internet blew up immediately after that. With the name Harriet Tubman becoming an immediate Worldwide Trending topic and with celebrities and regular people alike jumping onto the train and expressing their elation at Treasury’s ambitious plans to place an African-American female hero as the face of the widely-circulated $20 bill.
The sweeping changes came after a viral online campaign to feature a woman on the currency. And it happened.
Our currency has,for years,being dominated by the faces of the Founding Father, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta,the second President of the Republic Daniel Arap Moi and the celebratory 40 Shillings coin that features the face of the former first lady,Lucy Kibaki.
And in the spirit of nationhood and appreciation of national heroes and heroines,it wouldn’t hurt to see the face of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta,for instance, being replaced on the 1000 Bob note.
Or even on the 100 Bob or 50 bob note.
And even though the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) has in the past declared that it would finally implement the constitution by introducing new currency designs that would bear no portraits or images of individuals,we would hate to see the era of individuals gone before some of these very pivotal people on the history of Kenya have had their shine on the currency.
If a fervent online campaign worked in America,it might as well work here. Kenyans we’d love to see grace the Kenyan Currency.
1. Wangari Maathai on the Ksh. 1000 note
For her indefatigable spirit,her tireless fight for the restoration and preservation of forests and greenery across the Country and Africa. Her spirited opposition of KANU’s autocracy and thieving ways.
Her outstanding stand-off with President Moi over his plans to annex forests and sell off prime chunks of public space to private investors. Her unbowed nature,her landmark protest for the preservation of the endangered Uhuru Park and for her monumental win of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize making her the first female Nobel Laureate in Africa. It’s about time.
2. Ksh. 1000 note – Dedan Kimathi
For his unbroken spirit and his Harriet Tubman ways. For his dedication to the eradication of slavery and forceful occupation of Kenya by the brutal white settlers. For his legendary fight and tenancy deep in the jungle,fighting for the freedom and restoration of land for the black man and the expulsion of the colonial masters. His courage,strides,fearlessness,adpetness at guerilla warfare,dedication to the motherland and courageous combat with the better-skilled and armed white man. For the fables and the tales. For the fear his name evoked across the Country. For his outstanding leadership, vision, mission and direction.
3. Ksh. 1000 bill – Tom Mboya
For the grand visions he had as a young Luo man. For the exemplary politics he played. For the bright mind he possessed,transcending race and tribe to unite the communities and send young Kenyans to America for further studies. For his clean image,unsullied by the murk and dirt of the treacherous Kenyatta administration. His courage and skill. Knowledge and brilliance. Powerful gift of the gab and diplomatic ways.
4. Ksh. 500 note – Jaramogi Oginga Odinga
A true liberation hero. Kenya’s answer to Marcus Garvey. True to the cause and a powerful visionary. Selfless and dedicated. For his selfless desire to give up his Presidential ambitions in favor of his friend and fellow liberator Mzee Kenyatta. For his amazing leadership skills,uniting his community and leading it to the doorsteps of power. For being a towering figure across Nyanzaland,amassing massive respect and inspiring many a revolutionaries and activists. For his unbreakable spirit,vision and tireless dedication to the nation and to his community. For being one of the nation’s Founding Fathers.
5. Ksh. 500 note – Kenneth Matiba
A man who dared stand up to the ruthlessness and the mercilessness of the despotic KANU rule. A man who stood like the second coming of the Messiah – swaying millions of Kenyans to his side,vying for President in one of the most hypnotic and euphoric campaigns ever witnessed in Kenya. Mesmerizing masses and winning millions over to him.
Courageously standing up to a hardened dictator,telling him off and sparking a wild movement of Freedom and courage. Putting the nation first purposing to die for it. Enduring beatings and detentions for the freedom of a nation. Eventually ending up poisoned and in a stroke,all under the tentacles of an unrelenting autocracy.
6. Ksh. 200 note – Ngugi wa Thiong’o
No single novelist,writer, playwright,linguist and thinker has had a sway over Kenya quite like the old man Ngugi has. Witty and with the skills of Shakespeare, Ngugi has been the literary stalwart in Kenya for over five decades. Some of his work has been the most translated work across the World. His books have awoken the conscience of a nation,threatened to topple Governments,led to his incarceration and wrongful detention,plunged him to torture and arbitrary arrests eventually sending him to exile. He has severally been a Nobel nominee for his exemplary work in the literary field. And is,alongside Chinua Achebe and Wole Soyinka,one of the most revered and easily recognizable novelists from Africa. Pure hero.
7. Ksh. 200 note – Raila Odinga
His enigmatic ways have never ceased to amaze and enthrall Kenyans. He was one of the leading bright superstars of the Second Liberation, has consistently been one of the most powerful and charismatic leaders Kenya has ever seen. A brilliant visionary and envitalized leader, Raila has been a force for decades. For his efforts to unite the nation, transcend tribe, sell the nation abroad,keep Presidents on their toes,run one of the most robust and effective opposition parties in Africa. True to spirit,fearless,mentionable,indomitable and unassailable. A perfect Kenyan legend.
8. Ksh. 100 note – Rev. Timothy Murere Njoya
A retired Minister of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa and a leading advocate for justice and human rights in Kenya. Rev. Njoya received his PhD from Princeton Theological Seminary and is one of the most powerful and iconic figures of the latter struggle for independence in Kenya. He was tenacious and bold,open and forthright, fearless and resolute. Despite the threats from the tyrannical Moi administration,he stood up to it and dared to challenge it. Boldly and powerfully. Risked his life,stood for truth,educated a nation,used the pulpit to effect change,endured many nights in police cells,endured one of the most brutal and atrocious beatings from the police smack in the middle of the City streets,Refused to let his conscience be muddled,remained true to the calling and steadfastly pushed for a truer and most just society. Cleaner and more accountable Government. Unabated. Unafraid. Even not worried about having his theological accomplishments trashed.
9. Ksh. 200 note – Whispers Wahome Mutahi
A literary force whose wit and prowess was unmatched. Cheeky,bold,fearless and inspired,nothing could stop the man. He worked in a risky environment,and just like the others before him,would eventually endure many cold nights under detention,have his premises raided, be put under Government watch,be gagged and threatened a million times for his writings,his very dangerous pen and his skill at effecting change. Nothing could move the man. Not the threats nor the police. A voice of reason. And one enduring hero. Humor at a time.
10. Ksh 200 note – Kipchoge Keino
He’s the embodiment of Kenyan athletics. And one of the most renowned athletes globally. With the speed of light and the grace of a deer,Keino was unstoppable in his prime. Even before the likes of Rudisha,Tergat and Kemboi made the nation proud with their heroics,Kipchoge was there… Paving the way,writing history,opening chapters that would forever remain unclosed,becoming a national legend and the enduring face of what would become Kenya’s greatest pride-athletics.
Put a brother or a sister on a bill now,will you?!
