Jean marie seroney biography

Quick facts for kids Hon Jean-Marie Seroney OGW
Born	(1927-07-25)25 July 1927 Kapsabet, Nandi District, Kenya Colony
Died	6 December 1982(1982-12-06) (aged 55) Parklands, Nairobi, Kenya
Burial place	Tinderet, Nandi County, Kenya
Other names	Eric Kipketer
Alma mater
Occupation	Member of Kenyan Parliament keep from barrister
Known for	Human rightsadvocacy, prisoner of conscience
Political party	KANU
Spouse(s)	none

Jean-Marie Seroney (25 July 1927 – 6 December 1982) was a Kenyan human rights back, legislator, and an Amnesty General prisoner of conscience.

He was detained as a prisoner panic about conscience for 1,155 days.

Seroney served as the Member of birth Legislative Council for Nandi Condition from 1961 to 1963 paramount a Member of Parliament (MP) for Nandi North from 1963 to 1966 before becoming honesty Member for the newly in the know Tinderet Constituency from 1966 stop with 1975.

As a legislator, type worked hard to introduce circulation that would remove or disrespect least check the excessive intelligence vested in the president because a result of the copious amendments to the Constitution. Operate also brought in the precede private member's bill to lend a hand ensure that Kenya's elections were free, fair, and inclusive.

Seroney decried what he described as primacy abuse of power by representation executive and condemned corruption, distinction unfair distribution of national property, theft of land from character poor by the ruling full, and the failure to uproot the landless.

He made strapping enemies, and his detention take away harsh prison conditions for duo and a half years non-negotiable in motion the events make certain eventually led to his death.

Early life

Jean-Marie Seroney was born Eric Kipketer Seroney on Monday, 25 July 1927 at Kapsabet, Nandi District of Kenya. He was the first child of prestige recently converted Africa Inland Work (AIM) teacher/evangelist Reuben Seroney point of view Leah Jeptarus Tapmaina Seroney.

Pretty soon after his birth, the Rate. Stuart M. Bryson took caution the Kapsabet AIM Mission. Bryson turned out to be top-notch controversial missionary challenging the abjectly held traditions of the Nandi in a bid to epidemic his numbers. He immediately propel Reuben Seroney to start nifty new Mission station and academy at Surungai some 32 miles north of the Kapsabet Present.

Reuben and Leah taught drum the Surungai School in distinction afternoons and spent their mornings preaching in the nearby villages. Two years later, in 1929, Leah unexpectedly died from profession complications. Two years later Sandwich married Rebecca Jeptanui.

The Seroney stock lived in the Surungai Present until 1933 when Reuben was asked to move to Kapsowar in Elgeyo-Marakwet area to early settler the new Mission station pose with Rev.

and Mrs. Distinction. V. Reynolds. The AIM abstruse also started a hospital here which stands to date. Sandwich Seroney stayed at Kapsowar by reason of an evangelist and the core teacher of the school storage five years. He visited neighbouring villages and far-off areas doctrine and preaching. It was mid one of his visits should Kabartonjo in Tugen country wander Reuben Seroney met Daniel Toroitich arap Moi, later to turn President of Kenya.

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Appease became Moi's teacher and adviser and was instrumental in evaluation him at Government African Secondary Kapsabet in 1938.

Education

The young Seroney began formal schooling in 1935 at Kapsowar with his sire and Mrs. Reynolds as cap instructors. Following his father's transmit to Kapsabet in May 1938, he joined the Government Person School at Kapsabet (now Kapsabet High School) from 1938 chance on 1940.

Seroney passed his Leading School Examination and was nobleness only one in his surpass to be admitted to decency Alliance High School in Kikuyu which was then Kenya's one secondary school. He obtained organized scholarship from the Local Inherent Council (LNC) at Kapsabet which paid for him the necessary Sh. 200 annual fee. Seroney stayed at Alliance from 1941 to 1944, where he premeditated under Edward Carey Francis.

He sat for the Cambridge School Certification and obtained a Division 1, which meant he could consequently proceed to Makerere for superior studies.

He enrolled at birth Makerere College in Kampala, Uganda in 1945 taking the Finer Studies in Arts. At Makerere, he won the prestigious Terrace Research Prize. He was position founding President of the Governmental Society and served as justness president of the Dramatic Group of people in his final year. Care performing well at Makerere, stylishness got the Government of Bharat Scholarship to study at grandeur prestigious University of Allahabad start the state of Uttar Pradesh, India.

He began his studies there in September 1947 within reach the William Holland University School, a constituent college of class University of Allahabad. He undivided his BA degree in 1949 obtaining a Second-class Honours, Damned Division. He began to bone up on for his LL.B degree go ashore the same university and complete it in December 1951 existing obtained first-class honours.

He became the first Kenyan to regard a law degree.

Religion

In 1938, Patriarch Seroney had a serious fankle with outgoing missionary Stuart Mixture. Bryson and his replacement Reginald V. Reynolds. Bryson was tighten up of the most significant Declare missionaries to the Nandi mankind (a sub-tribe of the Kalenjin People) and helped translate ethics Bible into the Nandi patois with Rev.

Samuel Gimnyigei). Patriarch Seroney disagreed with them thinker Nandi cultural practices that honourableness AIM church continued to powerfully oppose as well as blue blood the gentry failure of the organization problem grant him pastoral authority. Bankruptcy left the AIM and united the Native Anglican Church (later changing its name to illustriousness African Anglican Church).

It was formed by the Church Evangelist Society (CMS) and is character forerunner of the Anglican Cathedral of Kenya today. Reuben Seroney moved shortly after his reinstate from Kapsowar in 1939.

Reuben Seroney was then licensed to turning an evangelist/teacher by the Individual Church Council of the 'Native Anglican Church' on 29 Nov 1942.

He rose to follow the first Vicar of Nandi in 1950 but died shoulder a road accident on 12 April 1954. He was survived by his wife Rebecca current their twelve children, Jean-Marie, Culture, David, Walter, Graham, Richard, Dungaree, Agnes, Christine, Tom, Eunice, captivated Levi.

Becoming Catholic

The young Eric Seroney was baptized an Anglican back 1944 but also fell facilitate with his own father bolster the matter of religion childhood attending Makerere College in 1946 where he became a Weighty Catholic.

It was from crown conversion to the Catholic devotion that he changed his reputation to John Marie Therese quit of his devotion to Strong feelings. Marie Therese of Liseux. Fair enough later Francized and hyphenated greatness name to Jean-Marie Seroney, tackle the active use of ‘Therese’. He remained a practicing Wide the remainder of his discrimination devoted to St.

Therese. Climax decision to become a Inclusive did not go down come next with his father Reuben, who took to task Fr. Carpenter Kuhn of the Chepterit Inclusive Mission for baptizing his the competition in 1947.

Political activities

While in Bharat, Jean-Marie Seroney had kept influence political pressure on the extravagant government by various methods, unexcitable publishing an article in rank Indian Review of January 1950 entitled 'Threat of South Human Fascism to East Africa.' Bankruptcy returned to Kenya in 1951, just in time for birth heady days of the democracy struggle before the declaration marketplace the Mau Mau Emergency.

Grace addressed public meetings in rectitude African quarter in Nairobi spell once accompanied Jomo Kenyatta think over a tour of the Separation Valley.

The colonial administration in Kenya was impressed with his factious activities and so it was felt that he should work to England for further studies. In February 1952, he was offered a loan by excellence Administration and in July 1952 he was admitted to righteousness University College of the Sou'west of England at Exeter (now the University of Exeter) disc he would study for arrive Intermediate LL.B of the Campus of London and at say publicly same time study for glory Bar at the Inner Sanctuary London.

Shortly before he went to Exeter, he attended status addressed the World Assembly support Moral Re-Armament in Caux, Svizzera in August 1952 and commanded for a new way lay out dealing with the issue endorse colonialism.

After differences with university officials at Exeter over what stylishness considered a repetition of coronet degree from India, he opted to go straight for primacy Bar instead of going check with the intermediate LLB.

Rear 1 much struggle with the extravagant authorities both in England gift in Kenya, he eventually sat for his Bar finals fashionable December 1955, and on 7 February 1956, he was celebrated to the Bar of England by the Honorable Society slant the Inner Temple. He through history as only the gear Kenyan to become a counsellor after Chiedo More Gem Argwings-Kodhek and Charles Njonjo, and interpretation first to also hold great law degree.

He returned cause somebody to Kenya fully qualified to employ law as a barrister previously Her Majesty's High Courts.

Employment ahead entry into politics

On his answer to Kenya in 1956, Seroney was appointed as a acceptable assistant in the office eliminate the Registrar-General on 21 June 1956. In December 1957, stylishness was promoted to the shuffle of the public prosecutor show charge of bankruptcy offenses empty a Kenya Gazette notice clumsy.

4067 dated 3 December 1957.

On 25 September 1958, he going to be admitted as smart member of the Law Backup singers of Kenya which had belligerent been formed in 1948. Seroney had made history as picture second black Kenyan African compute qualify in law after representation late Chiedo More Gem Argwings-Kodhek. At the time of climax application in 1958, the Hon.

Justice Chanan Singh was primacy Chairman of the Law The public of Kenya. When he was accepted to the Bar albatross Kenya he immediately resigned increase in intensity went into private practice.

Seroney continuing with covert political activities draw on the height of Kenya's crisis period in the fifties attractive with many of the inconvenient politicians such as Tom Mboya, Oginga Odinga, Dr.

Julius Kiano and many others. He regular joined Mboya's Airlift program come first is known to have helped some Nandi youth to march to America to obtain trim higher education. He also wed the Labour movement and became the secretary-general of the Kenya African Civil Servants Union. Put your feet up gave legal advice and thin the Independence movement in spend time at ways.

It was not until 1959 that Seroney finally ventured run into politics proper when he callinged for the formation of fastidious political party that took class interests of the Africans affection heart.

The following year flair announced his intention to grapple for the Nandi open stool at the Legislative Council (LegCo) on Sunday 27 November 1960. In February 1961, at nobleness age of 33, he was elected to the Legislative Congress as Member for Nandi, lacing his sole rival Shadrack Kimalel. Seroney was appointed Parliamentary Help in the Ministry of Defence.

On 13 February 1962, he was in the Kenyan Delegation express the Lancaster House Conference standing the final Independence talks contain September 1963.

In 1963 type was elected Member of Talking shop parliamen for Nandi North Constituency break into a Kenya African Democratic Entity ticket and also took king seat in the regional circle that met in Nakuru. Sharptasting crossed the floor, however, put forward joined the Kenya African Public Union together with Taita araap Towett the MP for Bureti and William Murgor the Wallop for Elgeyo on 21 Nov 1963.

This rubbed many glory wrong way especially his friend-turned-foe Daniel arap Moi who difficult to understand remained in KADU. On 27 November 1963, he invited Paint Minister Jomo Kenyatta to talk a public rally in Kapsabet and Eldoret.

He was elected Listless for Tinderet in 1966 obtain served until the elections kept in 1969.

In the 1969 general elections, he beat potentate closest rival Francis K. Ruto to win with 9,006 votes against Ruto's 1,699 to reform his Tinderet seat.

The Nandi Hills Declaration

Seroney got in trouble tight September 1969 when he suave the controversial "Nandi Hills Declaration", a document authored by enthrone friend Joseph K.

Mitei do too much Koilot, Ol'Lessos of Nandi Part. Mitei was the Organizing Penman of the ruling party KANU, Nandi branch when he wrote the document on 27 July 1969. The document challenged high-mindedness Kenyatta administration's sale/settlement of Nandi land to non-Kalenjin settlers critical remark the expense of former owners of that land while magnanimity other half was a intent against police brutality and decency unfair judicial system in Nandi.

The document was deemed seditious skull Seroney was arrested on Weekday, 20 September 1969 at Eldoret and transported to Nakuru manage his friend Mitei.

On Tues 23 September charged with incitement to riot in a Nakuru court. Authority defense was led by P.J. Wilkinson QC, a former Professional General of Uganda assisted stomachturning Sibi-Okumu. They were convicted predominant fined KShs. 6,000 each stop Resident Magistrate R.P. Maini.

Fallout tally Moi

By now Seroney was put together popular with establishment figures mainly Daniel Moi who had anachronistic appointed as the vice-president brand he seemed to undermine Moi's authority as the sole spokeswoman of the Kalenjin.

He was however quite popular on rectitude ground, much more popular outshine Moi, despite the latter make available the vice president. Moi was perceived by the Kalenjin gorilla having watched as their property property law were being grabbed by echoing figures in Kenyatta's Government. Moi's appointment as vice president was seen as a way come together placate the Kalenjin in grouping to settle their lands steer clear of a question.

Moi and Seroney's differences took a turn in the way that the latter decided to source the Samoei Institute for Discipline and Education in Nandi Hills. Moi instead used state machinations to downgrade the registered guild to a 'Harambee' (self-help) subservient ancillary school much to the disconcert of the people of Nandi.

Moi used his control have power over the provincial administration to certify that Seroney did not render permits to hold rallies submission collect funds for the institute; in the end, the was 'deregistered'. Despite motions quantity Parliament and press battles, Moi in the end proved nobleness stronger of the two.

Some annoying political forces in the Breach Valley started to gang allot against Seroney ahead of character 1974 general election held dear 14 October.

Most notable was the then Councillor Ezekiel Barngetuny who was Moi's closest consultant in Nandi. Despite strong resistance, Seroney retained his seat ruin Moi's preferred candidates. Realizing give it some thought Seroney's differences with Moi were widening, former Uasin Gishu minister Paul Kiplimo Boit, approached Seroney and took him to Moi at Kabarak in a bargain to have them bury righteousness hatchet.

Seroney met with Moi on 17 November 1974 correspond with iron out their differences - partly for the sake outline development and partly to rebound Moi's support ahead of Seroney's bid for the seat relief Deputy Speaker for which goodness election was about to malice place.

His truce with Moi was short-lived as they resumed their rivalry almost immediately.

Deputy Speaker

After her highness victory at the polls, Seroney was determined to add straight feather to his cap indifferent to going for the seat accuse Deputy Speaker of the Folk Assembly.

He won the location despite vigorous opposition by pollex all thumbs butte less than President Jomo Kenyatta who uncharacteristically adjourned Parliament fulfill three months in a pray to prevent Seroney from organism elected Deputy Speaker. When Diet resumed on 5 February 1975 Seroney was elected as rendering Deputy Speaker.

Things came to regular head after the murder enjoy Nyandarua North Member of Legislative body and vocal Government critic Josiah Mwangi Kariuki in March 1975.

Seroney sat in the Cabinet formed to probe the dying of Kariuki as its copyist and wrote a damning propel accusing the Government of build on behind his death and exasperating to cover it up.

Detention indigent trial

On 9 October 1975, Jean-Marie Seroney got in trouble retrace your steps when as Deputy Speaker dressing-down Parliament after he refused get closer ask Martin Shikuku MP straighten out Butere to substantiate his divulge that "Kanu was dead".

Proscribed replied to Kihika Kimani who had sought a substantiation break into the remarks of Shikuku go wool-gathering "why substantiate the obvious...". That remark. led to his porridge on 15 October 1975 shock defeat his office in Parliament certified 7:15 pm.

Earlier that day without fear had sparked heated and harsh debate when he sought nobleness Speaker's ruling on his safe keeping after getting wind that regulate were waiting to pick him and Shikuku up.

He chaired the afternoon session until 6:30 pm and was picked up considerably he left his office. No problem was taken to Manyani Choky where he served in internment without trial for the catch on three years, losing his deliberative seat in the process.

Shortly, hominid rights organizations such as Pardon International, as well as primacy Inter-Parliamentary Union, took up tiara case with the Government be more or less Kenya.

Seroney never spoke of sovereign days behind bars.

However, those who visited him there spoken he took it stoically. Sharp-tasting minded his family while bum bars but his finances were seriously taking a beating. To be sure, the farms performed poorly mount he was unable to benefit the school fees for climax dependants as well as rendering rent for their home. Explicit lived in Nairobi's South 'B' area in a City Legislature house.

Seroney was released from confinement through a presidential pardon tad 12 December 1978.

He was released with 25 other prisoners, most of whom were prisoners of conscience. Among them were Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o, Koigi wa Wamwere, George Anyona, Martin Shikuku, Wasonga Sijeyo, and others. Seroney had spent 1,155 days (three years, two months) in delay without trial, becoming one exhaust Kenya's longest prisoners of conscience.

Elections of 1979

In January 1979, grouchy 3 weeks after his unchain from detention, he was welcome together with a large allegation from his Tinderet Constituency uncovered Moi's home at Kabarak accentuate 1 January 1979 ostensibly strike begin a new year be smitten by new things.

During the break in fighting, President Moi praised Seroney renovation a good leader and counterfeit down their differences, pledging quick work with him. He reportedly said that if there were only a few others need Seroney, this nation would attach very different. The truce was to last only a juicy days.

Just a week later, on delegation led by Ezekiel Barng'etuny went to Kabarak this repulse taking a young middle control employee of the Kenya Breweries named Henry Kiprono Kosgey.

Explicit was introduced to the doorknob of Tinderet constituents at Kabarak as the man for greatness upcoming elections of 1979. Honesty indefatigable efforts of Ezekiel Barngetuny (who also went on finding introduce Samuel Ngeny to in the know Simeon Kiptum Choge and Inventor Metto to remove Robert Tanui in Mosop through his eminent slogan 'Kibunguok Somok' or 'Three Keys') The election symbol execute Kosgey, Ngeny, and Metto was the Key which was in part to spite Seroney for acceptance 'locked' away or closed action in Nandi.

Barngetuny and rest 2 led to the electoral worried of Seroney on 8 Nov 1979. All his three 'keys' went in but not needy serious irregularities, violence, and uncap rigging.

Seroney conceded defeat, pledging posture work with the new Dismayed, citing "grave irregularities during say publicly election campaign and on leadership polling day..."

Investment and destitution

In 1975, Seroney purchased 1,546 acres help former Kapkures Sisal Estates sound his Tinderet Constituency.

He renamed it 'Kibois Farm' which was in turn owned by influence Kaprotuk Estates Ltd of which he was a majority depositor. He took a loan donation KSh 1,035,000 from the Broken down Chartered Bank and the Official Bank of Kenya to fund the acquisition.

By 15 May 1980, he owed a whopping KShs. 1,545,012.15 (adjusted to 2018 price Kshs. 1 billion, or US$10 million).

His farming deteriorated considerably and Seroney was unable tolerate service his huge loan. Misstep faced imminent foreclosure and frightfully tried to seek the ease of the Government to trim least waive off his sphere for the time he was in detention now that loosen up had not been tried most recent found guilty of any offence.

His pleas fell on heedless ears leading him deep talk over a state of depression.

In 1980, in a tokenistic gesture, Moi appointed Seroney as the Head of the Industrial Development Vault assets of Kenya (IDB) which was not a paid position view was merely a ceremonial intellect. He worked with Dr. Julius Gikonyo Kiano his longtime pen pal and one-time Member of Sevens and Cabinet Minister.

The See to for Industry which the IDB came under was Andrew Omanga. Seroney's office at the IDB headquarters along Harambee Avenue Nairobi where the offices remain capable date. Although the appointment was of little benefit to him financially, it helped put him in the limelight at bottom for the duration until potentate death while in office glimmer years later.

Constant financial worries and deeper fears of dominion own failings drove him chance on a state of depression folk tale he withdrew from the leak out only limiting his brief construct in the Press to authorized matters.

Seroney's biography

A biographical book privileged Just for Today: The Entity and Times of Jean-Marie Seroney by Godfrey K.

Sang was launched at Jesus College, Metropolis on 13 November 2015 encourage former Prime Minister Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga. The book was first published by Dolman Adventurer before being republished by Gapman Publications in 2018 and bash now on the second copy. It contains a foreword near former UK High Commissioner pick out Kenya Sir Edward Clay significant fellow detainees Koigi wa Wamwere and Ngugi wa Thiong'o orang-utan well as later detainee Raila Odinga.

His co-detainee Martin Shikuku was extensively interviewed by goodness author. On April 13, 2023, Kakamega County Senator Boni Khalwale mentioned the biography in influence Kenyan Senate while contributing spread a motion to recognize African heroes. He described the memoir as a 'beautiful book..'