Kenya’s morals policeman is a “man of many flaws” and shed tears over the weekend as he took a trip down memory lane.
Ezekiel Mutua, the CEO of the Kenya Film Classification Board, was watching a sermon by Bishop Allan Kiuna on TV that triggered memories of his difficult past.
Taking to his popular Facebook page, Mr Mutua delivered an inspiring testimony as he narrated the hardships he has had to overcome over the years.
“The good Bishop was speaking about a heart of gratitude. He spoke about remembering the things God has done for us and why it’s important to always take stock of His blessings in our lives. I don’t know why, but the sermon took me down memory lane – the hardship of my early childhood, the pain of growing up in a broken home, the missed opportunity in life when I was young simply because I didn’t have rich parents or a mentor,” wrote Mutua.
One of his stories included how he stole bread and milk at Jack and Jill Supermarket because he was so broke and hungry.
Read his full testimony below.
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Today in my hotel in Kisumu, I watched Bishop Allan Kiuna preach on K24 and I found myself kneeling beside my bed and shedding tears. The good Bishop was speaking about a heart of gratitude. He spoke about remembering the things God has done for us and why it’s important to always take stock of His blessings in our lives. I don’t know why, but the sermon took me down memory lane – the hardship of my early childhood, the pain of growing up in a broken home, the missed opportunity in life when I was young simply because I didn’t have rich parents or a mentor.
I remembered how I came to Nairobi for further studies and how one day I was so broke and hungry, I entered Jack & Jill supermarket and ate bread and drunk milk without paying. The tellers and watchmen accosted me and started beating me. I shouted at them to stop beating me for I was “a child of a very senior person.” I demanded to see the manager or the owner of the place. When a nice looking Muhindi came I told him my story and that I was genuinely hungry. I told him that I had a great future and that one day I will not only shop in his place and pay, but that will probably buy the entire shop. He ordered that I be served whatever I wanted and be let to go.
Today as the Bishop preached I cried. I remembered how in 1990 with very good points, Kenyatta University Administration refused to change my course from BA to BED, even after I went on hunger strike to protest the admission for a BA, arguing that my points allowed me to pursue Education, which was my second choice after missing the cut off points for Law. I remembered how my roommate used to tease me that I was pursuing “Bachelor of Anything (BA)”, and how I once failed in Critical Thinking unit by Prof. Wambari in First year and was almost referred, only to make a remarkable come back in Second and Third year and end up with a Second Class Honours.
I remembered how I worked for the Nation Media Group for nine years but could not afford a car even when my peers were making it a sport. I remembered how I had to pursue my Masters almost 15 years after my first degree and how I had to struggle with my PhD at night and during weekends, almost at 50. I remembered years of delayed blessings na kuonewa. I remembered many things. . . .
But I also remembered how God has been on my side through it all. I remembered the unmerited favour. I remembered the many times I have literally screwed up and could have gone under, but God held me. I remembered how He has rescued me from my enemies and prepared a table before me, in their presence. I remembered that I am not worthy to receive the kind of love that He gives, but He still loves me, anyway. I am a man of many flaws.
There’s still stuff I need to fix in my life. There is still more to learn, more to do and more to achieve. I may not be where I wanted to be, but I am where God wants me, and that’s good enough. I am grateful.
Thank you Bishop for the word. It is still reverberating in my mind!
