Tribute to Francis Chahonyo by Sidney Chahonyo

I've been away for some time and life has thrown me in all sorts of directions but here is a piece that will leave me raw.

So it is 7 weeks and 3 days since I lost my Father. He truly was amazing. A mentor, a friend...............

Actually I thought I would be able to do this right not but I'm not quite ready for this piece. 

So for now I'm just going to lay this tribute out here. Same as it was on the funeral program. As I gather my thoughts in hope that one day I will be able to truly reflect on the life of a great man that once was, and still is. He continues to inspire me every day. And my whole life has changed. But his light is still burning in the lives of each and every one of us whose lives he touched.

So here it is.

Tribute to Francis Chahonyo by Sidney Chahonyo.

Ever since I started work at the bank everyone who read my name tag or asked for my name asked me ‘Which Chahonyo?” or “Are you related to Chahonyo?” or “Is this the Chahonyo I know?”

As soon as I confirmed, they all told me what a good person he was; or how he gave them their first break; educated them; got them a job; or gave them money for their first business.  There is a legacy in the name and I am so proud to be his son. All these years later, people still remember his generosity, goodness, kindness and integrity.

No matter what people may say or think with all these court cases and allegations around us, that is the daddy I know. The one who did everything in his power to give his children a better life than he had.

The “poor no more” dad who vowed to make it out of a simple life from a single mother’s house stricken by poverty; who used to eat meat maybe once in a year, and tea whenever someone would give them sugar by chance. And they would add water and call it tea.

One who would walk to school barefoot and come home to take their two or three cows to pasture and to drink at the river, then return home and study via a paraffin lamp. To rise from such meagre circumstances and become a powerhouse both in the corporate and political realm.

Building up companies like Post Bank Credit and Kenya Sugar Authority; and banks like The National Bank of Kenya and The Central Bank of Kenya.

Being summoned to Kabarak at 3 am by Retired President Arap Moi to help him sort out political issues. Mentoring the likes of Hon. Moses Wetangula, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi and Hon. Cyrus Jirongo who were like sons to him. They would visit his office and home frequently, asking for advice and support in different ways. Seeking wisdom and sharing at his table.

All these material things come and go. People say that they may never remember what you said to them but will remember how you made them feel. How he selflessly gave of his wealth to people from all walks of life. From watchmen, to secretaries and drivers, to politicians and presidents;  including the likes of the ‘Baghdad boys’ who still stop the car in the hope that their baba is somewhere behind the tinted windows.

This is a man to be celebrated.  Even after losing these material things, friends, and colleagues, one thing is true, God has him in the palm of His hands. He recognized God and gave Him credit for who he is.

There are many good men out there, but my daddy is the man I know who set such an example to me that I will always try to emulate.

Till we meet again..................................................................................................