By Joseph Lister Nyaringo and Albert Obulukhu Musasia
The
ruling coalition has almost 6 million votes from Central Kenya and Rift valley
combined while Cord has almost 5 million votes from Western, Coast, Nyanza and
Eastern, which leaves Nairobi with 1.8 Million and North Eastern with a paltry
500,000 registered voters.
If
we use the last election metrics to predict the turnout for next year, it will
be fair then to conclude that CORD strongholds have a poor voter turnout as
opposed to Central Kenya and Rift valley of Uhuru and Ruto’s turves
respectively.
All
arguments about the electoral malpractices we have experienced as a nation in
previous elections have taught us great lessons to predict the future. We all
understand that some areas in the Rift Valley like Kitale, Nakuru and Eldoret
are cosmopolitan and so as Mombasa and other major urban centers.
Cord
can scoop votes in the Rift Valley not only from non-natives but also from
local communities like: Turkana, Samburu, and Maasai where indications reflect
these areas as swing vote regions within the larger Rift Valley.
Tribal alignments are a reality
in our politics. Even as leaders take advantage of this scenario to advance their political interest
and selfish endeavours, there is room for Cord to play a wise card to beat the
Jubilee coalition in next year’s general election.
In
order for the three Cord principals- Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga and Moses
Wetangula, to be seen as liberators from the Jubilee misrule, they need to
constitute a formidable challenge like the one meted on Kanu in 2002 through
the Rainbow Coalition
They
should fore-go their ambitions for Presidency if they want to get rid of
Jubilee from power in order to lift Kenya from decay.
The
three should rally behind a compromise candidate who will easily neuter the
tyranny of numbers and catalyze the coalition into victory. This will be the
surest way to show Kenyans that they are selfless, patriotic and above
self-serving politics.
The
best compromise candidate for CORD to behind next year is non rather than
lawyer Gitobu Imanyara, former MP for Central Imenti. Imanyara has the gravitas
to appeal to Kenyans because of his embraceable record in the struggle for the
second liberation. He is an incorruptible man with unquestionable integrity.
Many Kenyans have cried many tears for a Raila
Presidency but the stakes are very high as he hits sunset years of his
political life.
While
majority of Kenyans know how the Cord leader has been unjustifiably denied
victory twice due to the phobia of Kenya’s ruling elite especially from Central
Kenya, all hope is not lost in Raila to influence who our next CEO will be next
in 2017.He did it in 2002 through the “Kibaki Tosha” declaration at Uhuru Park and this time round, he
can do the same by declaring “Imanyara Tosha.”
Some
may question why Imanyara and not Kalonzo or Wetangula! The game is simple. The
former MP will without doubt harvest 80% of the Meru, Tharaka, Mbeere, and Embu
votes denying Uhuru dominance in the Mount Kenya region; drastically weakening
the tyranny of numbers.
After
an Imanyara victory, the CORD principals can be key pillars in the new
administration by focusing on service delivery under the coalition’s
manifesto.
To
ensure effective participation in the new administration, former Prime
Minister, Raila Odinga can coordinate the national Government, the County
government and international investments. This will scale down foreign trips
made by county leaders; thus strengthening devolution as well as catalyzing
economic growth at the grassroots.
On
the other hand, former Vice President Kalonzo and Senator Wetangula who are
both experts in law and foreign affairs help to craft laws to nurture
reconciliation and cohesiveness in the country, ensuring equity, equality and
the dispensation of justice and the rule of law.
Note
that, an Imanyara Presidency may not be pegged on ethnic loyalties but the
unity of all Kenyan communities; each having equal share of the national cake through
county and national governments.
It’s
true some leaders from Mt Kenya may brand Imanyara
a traitor; used by outsiders to derail the Kenyatta dynasty but this might not hold water
since former the MP is known to be principled.
To
add more meat to the ticket by shifting from ethnic baggage, Gitobu’s deputy
should be the renowned economist Mr. Robert Shaw. The Caucasian writer and
economist has been part of the struggle for reforms in the country especially
when he worked with the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in the 1990s. He has the
capacity to link the country with the rest of
the world on investment opportunities.
Finally,
the Cord government under Imanyara, can hold a constitutional referendum after two
years in office to improve the laws on devolution and also entrench a
Parliamentary system of government.
We
can them have a President in charge of the nation and a Prime Minister, who may
be leader of the party with parliamentary majority to run the day-to-day
affairs of government.
