Mathews Charles Onyango Midika occupies a special place in the history of Kenyan leadership as one of the most fearless, outspoken, and intellectually combative Members of Parliament of his era. A former trade unionist, seasoned corporate executive, and radical legislator, Midika built a reputation that blended sharp wit, ideological courage, and an uncompromising commitment to speaking truth to power.
From the 1970s through the twilight years of President Daniel arap Moi’s administration, Midika stood out as a politician who refused to be silenced—inside Parliament or beyond it.
Early Life and Education
Born in Kabar, Muhoroni, Charles Onyango Midika grew up in a region deeply shaped by agriculture and labour struggles, influences that would later define his political life. He attended local primary and secondary schools before joining Makerere University, then East Africa’s premier institution of higher learning.
At Makerere, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Social Sciences, an academic foundation that sharpened his analytical skills and laid the groundwork for his later mastery of parliamentary debate and public speaking.
Corporate Career and Trade Union Activism
Before entering politics, Midika enjoyed a successful corporate career, holding senior management positions at major institutions, including
- East African Power and Lighting Company
- British American Tobacco (BAT)
- Chemelil Sugar Company
Despite this promising trajectory, Midika made a bold decision to resign from corporate life and join the labor movement. He rose to become Secretary General of the Kenya Union of Sugar Plantation Workers, one of the most powerful trade unions in the country at the time.
This transition marked his emergence as a national voice for workers and farmers, particularly within the sugar industry.
Entry into Parliament and Rise to Prominence
Midika was first elected to Parliament in 1974, where he immediately made his presence felt. He became widely known as “Bwana Sukari” due to his relentless advocacy for cane farmers and the sugar industry.
In Parliament, he moved and supported motions that:
- Strengthened protections for sugarcane farmers
- Improved labour conditions in sugar plantations
- Promoted reforms in public institutions
Among his lesser-known but impactful contributions was sponsoring reforms that modernised police uniforms, replacing shorts with trousers and allowing policewomen the choice between skirts and trousers—an early nod to professionalism and dignity in public service.
A Master of Oratory and Political Confrontation
Midika’s parliamentary style was anything but conventional. Renowned for his fiery speeches, biting humour, and sharp intellect, he was notorious for:
- Raising controversial questions
- Interrupting proceedings on points of order
- Openly clashing with the Speaker
His restlessness and fearlessness earned him both admiration and hostility in equal measure.
Former Attorney General Charles Njonjo famously lumped him into the group he derisively called the “Seven Bearded Sisters”—a band of radical, left-leaning MPs viewed as a threat to the political establishment. The group included:
- Koigi wa Wamwere
- James Orengo
- Lawrence Sifuna
- Chibule wa Tsuma
- Abuya Abuya
- Chelagat Mutai
- Later, Mwashengu wa Mwachofi
Rather than weakening him, this label cemented Midika’s image as a fearless dissenter.
“Arum Tidi”: Fear and Respect at Home
In his Muhoroni backyard, Midika was nicknamed Arum Tidi—Dholuo for raven, a bird believed to be rare and ominous. The name symbolised his ruthless political instincts and the fear he inspired among rivals.
To supporters, however, Arum Tidi was a protector: a leader who never flinched when confronting injustice or political bullying.
The 1976 Parliamentary Crisis
One of the most defining moments of Midika’s career came in 1976, when armed police stormed Parliament to arrest Deputy Speaker Jean-Marie Seroney and MP Martin Shikuku following the explosive declaration that “KANU is dead.”
This unprecedented violation of parliamentary privilege deeply affected Midika and hardened his resolve against State excesses. From that moment, his opposition to authoritarianism became even more pronounced.
Imprisonment and Political Persecution
In 1983, Midika’s career suffered a devastating blow when he was jailed over allegations of misappropriating union funds. He consistently maintained that the charges were politically motivated, linked to his closeness to Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and his radical stance.
Although the Court of Appeal later overturned the conviction, Midika had already spent four years in prison, a period that marked one of the darkest chapters in his life.
Comeback and Cabinet Service
Against the odds, Midika staged a political comeback in 1988 as the first MP for the newly created Muhoroni Constituency. Though he later lost the seat in the 1992 multiparty elections, his political relevance endured.
President Moi appointed him Minister for Regional Development, a role in which Midika once again demonstrated his activist leadership style. He became especially popular among fishing communities, where he personally confronted exploitative middlemen and defended fishermen’s livelihoods.
His boldness, delivery, and grassroots connection earned him renewed respect within government circles.
Relationship with President Moi
Midika often described Daniel arap Moi as a demanding but fair workaholic who valued courage, discipline, and results. Despite their ideological differences, the two shared mutual respect—Moi appreciated Midika’s fearlessness, while Midika respected decisive leadership.
Life After Politics and Legacy
After retiring from active politics, Midika returned to Muhoroni, where he became:
- A large-scale sugarcane farmer
- An elder statesman
- A mentor and adviser to younger leaders
Today, Mathews Charles Onyango Midika is remembered as a symbol of fearless parliamentary activism—loud, controversial, uncompromising, and deeply principled.
In an era when many leaders chose silence for safety, Midika chose confrontation. His legacy endures as a reminder that true leadership does not flatter power—it challenges it.
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