NAIROBI, Kenya – “Leadership is a privilege,” they say. “A position of honour.” These were the exact words of Albert Maloba as he looked forward to the launch of his book, A Comrade Forever.
According to Maloba, a former student leader at Moi University, leadership is also a battlefield—a relentless test of resilience, sacrifice, and survival.
“It is not about titles or applause.” It is about making decisions that will either unite or divide, elevate or oppress, heal or harm,” Maloba told Y News in an exclusive interview.
In the 200-page A Comrade Forever memoir, Maloba states that leadership is not viewed from the comfort of theory but lived through the fire of reality.
“This book is an unfiltered, thought-provoking journey through the corridors of power, where ideals are tested, alliances are fragile, and the weight of responsibility is heavier than it seems. More than just a memoir, this is a manifesto for young leaders, a call to action for those who dare to step into the arena and shape the future,” explained the youthful leader.
While giving the true definition of the term comrade, Maloba observed that it is a name tied to university politics—a battle cry in the struggle for student rights, a label that unites and divides, empowers and entangles.
“But being a comrade goes beyond institutions and elections. It is about trust, loyalty, and shared purpose. Your first comrade is not the one you meet in lecture halls or political rallies—it is the one who carried you into this world. A mother, the first pillar of strength, the first silent sacrifice, the first unwavering supporter. From the moment you took your first breath, you were never alone. Life itself is a journey of comradeship—those who walk beside you in battles seen and unseen,” Maloba added.
Where will the book launch take place
Ahead of the launch of the highly publicised book on Thursday, 5 June 2025, at the Swiss Mount Hotel, Nairobi, Maloba observed that at the heart of this gripping account is Moi University’s 2020/2021 academic year, a period he termed unparalleled upheaval.
As the 31st President of the Moi University Students Organisation (MUSO), elected in late 2019, the author led at the frontlines of crisis: the COVID-19 pandemic shutting down learning, lecturer strikes disrupting academic progress, and the ever-present complexities of tribal politics threatening to divide the student body.
“The weight of responsibility was not just institutional—it was personal. Leadership demanded decisions that would affect thousands, while grief demanded resilience after the loss of a mother, the first and most irreplaceable comrade of all,” narrated Maloba.
He further told Y News that, yet, leadership is like training for an Olympic marathon—it is not about a single moment of glory but endurance, discipline, and continuous preparation.
“Just as elite athletes wake up every morning to push their limits, true leaders must constantly sharpen their minds, confront challenges head-on, and build the stamina to withstand the pressures of governance. Without consistent training, even the fastest sprinter will falter before the finish line. Without adaptability, even the most charismatic leader will crumble under pressure,” advised Maloba.
Why should Gen Zs be active in matters citizenry
Maloba reiterated that the world is at a crossroads, and Gen Z cannot afford to sit on the sidelines.
“This book delivers a powerful message: young leaders must claim their seat at the national decision-making table, not as spectators but as architects of the future. The old bureaucratic systems were not built for them, yet they are expected to live under their rules. How does a generation raised in the digital age break through governance structures still stuck in the past?” he posed.
He also observed that the role of religion in leadership is evolving.
Once the moral compass of societies, has it now become a passive observer? Can it still guide leaders through the complexities of governance, or has it retreated into a realm of silence, unwilling to confront the burning questions of justice, equity, and ethical leadership? Meanwhile, the crisis in higher education continues to deepen,” Maloba said.
How universities are a shell of their former selves
Maloba lamented that universities, once centres of intellectual revolution, are now struggling with outdated curricula, financial instability, and a disconnect between learning and real-world application.
“A Comrade Forever does not just highlight the problem; it demands solutions—reforms that go beyond policy tweaks and challenge the very foundation of education itself,” he says.
And then there is climate change, which Maloba says is not an abstract debate but a defining test of modern leadership.
“The book paints a chilling picture: the choices made today will determine whether future generations inherit a livable planet or a wasteland of regret. Will today’s leaders take action, or will they delay until the damage is irreversible?” Maloba further posed.
With a masterful blend of suspense, humour, raw emotion, and strategic wisdom, A Comrade Forever is not just another leadership book—it is an awakening. It speaks not to those who sit back and observe, but to those who are ready to stand, fight, and lead.
“The race has begun. The finish line is unknown. The future belongs to those who train for it. Are you ready to lead?” Maloba concluded.
