History is not everything, but it is a starting point. History is a clock that people use to tell their political and cultural time of day. It is a compass they use to find themselves on the map of human geography. It tells them where they are but, more importantly, what they must be.—Pan-Africanist writer and historian, John Henrik Clarke.

This book on Pio Gama Pinto has been produced in the tradition of ‘looking back, in order to move forward’, to not only salvage history but also to use it as a mirror to reflect on the current political, economic and social conditions in Kenya. The essays that appear in the booklet are a product of the efforts and dedication of young women and men under the banner of the ‘Organic Intellectuals Network’ in Kenya. We use the concept of ‘organic intellectual’ as developed by Antonio Gramsci.

Members of the Organic Intellectual Network selected the book Pio Gama Pinto: Kenya’s Unsung Martyr 1927-1965 edited by Shiraz Durrani (Vita Books, 2018)^[1] as a basis for discussion for celebrating and remembering the life of Pio Gama Pinto, Kenya first martyr, a dedicated and selfless individual involved in the struggle for freedom in Kenya. Pinto has not been fully appreciated and recognized for his efforts in the fight for independence and post-independence struggles that were characterized by ideological confrontation between capitalism and socialism. Each of the 14 participants in the discussions were asked to write their reflections on what they had learned, based on their daily struggles as activists, students and revolutionary community organizers in their communities. These discussions were accompanied by several activities at the beginning of 2021 aimed at remembering Pio Gama Pinto on the 56th anniversary of his assassination. These activities included reflections at his memorial grave and the production of a podcast.

This book aims at retrieving and providing a genuine national direction for the struggles of Kenyans based on historical clarity devoid of any obscurity and distortion. It is our hope that these simplified reflections will introduce Pio Gama Pinto and socialism to the Kenyan people and across the world.