The voice that thundered for justice on the streets of Chicago and echoed in the halls of power has fallen silent. Reverend Jesse Jackson, the civil rights titan who walked with King and ran for the White House, has died at the age of 84. In Nairobi, President William Ruto led a nation in mourning, describing Jackson as a "champion for human dignity" whose legacy transcends borders.

Jesse Jackson was more than an American politician; he was a global symbol of resistance. For Africans, he was a bridge. He was one of the first African-American leaders to consistently center African issues in US foreign policy, fighting against apartheid in South Africa and advocating for debt relief for the continent.

“He was a friend of Kenya and a friend of Africa,” President Ruto said in a statement issued from State House. “His life was a testament to the power of resilience. He taught us that you can be born in poverty, barred by segregation, and still rise to shape the conscience of the world.”

The Rainbow Coalition

Jackson’s concept of the "Rainbow Coalition"—a multiracial alliance of the marginalized—resonated deeply in pluralistic African societies. He visited Kenya numerous times, famously meeting with the late President Daniel arap Moi and pushing for democratic reforms during the clamor for multipartyism in the 1990s.

His death marks the end of an era. He was the last of the "Big Three" civil rights lieutenants of Martin Luther King Jr. (along with Ralph Abernathy and Andrew Young) to remain active in the public eye. His two presidential bids in 1984 and 1988 paved the way for Barack Obama’s historic victory in 2008—a connection that holds special significance for Kenyans.

A Complicated Legacy

Jackson was not without controversy. His "hymietown" remarks in the 80s and his personal scandals were fodder for his critics. But his ability to mobilize the streets was unmatched. He negotiated the release of hostages in Syria and Cuba when diplomats failed. He gave hope to the hopeless with his famous chant: "I Am – Somebody!"

The Final Chapter

In recent years, Parkinson’s disease had slowed his step and slurred his speech, but his presence remained formidable. His passing leaves a void in the global fight for racial equality at a time when right-wing populism is on the rise.

As flags fly at half-mast, Kenya remembers a man who never saw himself as just a citizen of America, but as a citizen of the world. Jesse Jackson has crossed the river, but his voice still echoes: Keep hope alive.