Interesting stuff.
I have no reason to believe that the man is anything other than a fine outstanding man and a pillar of the community. Nevertheless, I am intrigued by this idea that the proof of that comes from his evidently public displays of piety. Given the connection to the "Catholic Church", I will note this: whatever possible evil, large or small that one can think of, there is a Pope who excelled at it while at the very time managing to "piously" lead the "flock". As an example, one of the scandals of our times is that of "holy" and "celibate" types fucking little boys in the butt. What is new about that is the recent revelations; otherwise, that's been going on for hundreds of years, with some popes leading the way.
Beyond the "Catholic Church", one can readily elsewhere find reminders of "pious", "holy" types being anything but. For example, in Thailand, it is not unusual to learn that a "celibate" type who "lives in a communal house" and who gets his food by "begging" is actually living large---flying on private jets, enjoying plenty of pussy, has a huge bank account, etc.
http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/07/04/sex-scandal--money-laundering-probe-thai-buddhist-monk-private-jet_n_3546552.htmlI don't know much about
Opus Dei, i.e. beyond what the "casual" person might find in, say, Wikipedia. I have heard claims that they are some sort of "secret cult", and I have heard counters to that charge. But I have today learned, here, that in Kenya they are "discreet" and that Githongo couldn't possibly be one of them because they "recruit" in just some selected places. The very notion of recruiting is an interesting one: Just what is it that they are recruiting for? And why should it be that the "it" can be found at Strathmore but not at St. Mary's? And why is it necessary to be "discreet" about it?
Beyond all that, one may consider a basic question: Is his a fine example that will inspire other Kenyans to a less thieving "lifestyle"? It is nice to believe or imagine so, but I doubt it. Corruption in pursuit of "the good life"---and especially theft from public coffers---is far too deeply ingrained in our culture. Anyone who had a good opportunity to rob the public is expected to do so and is regarded as a fool of he or she does otherwise.
In the Kenyan context, I see this case as not too dissimilar from that of a two-tailed dog. A "marvel" to behold and talk about? Certainly. But one should not be "automatically" led to believe that it will (a) inspire the single-tailed ones to more vigorous wagging or (b) provide more barking or better protection for the owner.