By Joseph Lister Nyaringo
Former Vice President Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka has confirmed
to both friend and foe that despite being ambitious to lead the country as
President, he is not power-angry but cares more about the future of Kenya.
Ceding the ground to support the orange Democratic Movement
party leader Raila Amolo Odinga, the third time for the presidency is a clear
demonstration that Kalonzo is not an opportunist but a leader who puts the
needs of the country before himself.
An Australian evangelist in the Seventh-day Adventist
Church, Desmond Ford once said these words: “A wise man changes his mind
sometimes, but a fool never. To change your mind is the best evidence you have
one.”
What does this say about the Wiper Party leader? In my
opinion, he stands tall as a patriot and a free thinker who looks at the larger
picture to adjust according to prevailing circumstances.
I'm sure, the Azimio la Umoja Presidential candidate Raila
Odinga, is thrilled with Kalonzo’s show of humility and selflessness to support
him for the third time.
The quest for a better society requires sacrifices and even
self-denial. Kenya being a multi-ethnic society, when an influential leader
like Kalonzo, rallies behind a presidential candidate from a different
community, it becomes almost automatic that his community (Kamba) will rally behind
that candidate.
The miasma of anxiety and fear was evident in the Azimio la
Umoja coalition before Kalonzo finally agreed to join the team. President Uhuru
Kenyatta and Odinga, knew that without Kalonzo, the Ukambani vote was not
assured despite the support the coalition was getting from governors Charity
Ngilu of Kitui, Kivuta Kibwana of Makueni and Alfred Mutua of Machakos.
As the Azimio coalition gears up to capture the presidency
in August, the coalition’s candidate may garner almost 85% of the Kamba
community votes because of the former vice president.
Having Kalonzo, Ngilu, Kibwana and Mutua, in the Azimio
coalition, it will be an uphill task for deputy president William Ruto of the
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to penetrate Ukambani region.
It’s a
wake-up call for Odinga, to remember that a friend who always has your back is
a true friend. Kalonzo has demonstrated that he can be relied upon.
At the right point in time, I’m sure
that Odinga will reciprocate… it goes without Saying
this: you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
The biggest lesson Odinga should learn is that Kenyans
believe in his vision. They trust his values and yearnings for the country’s
present and future. Otherwise, if he didn’t stand for anything, we couldn’t see
a constellation of political parties and individuals supporting his 5th
bid for the presidency.
President Kenyatta too deserves kudos for following his
conviction. He has served in the highest office and has seen that Odinga, is a
good shepherd to take over the reign of Kenya in August. This reflects bravery
and, boldness despite stiff opposition from many political leaders in his Mt. Kenya turf.
A leader cannot lead alone. The ODM leader has to tap
on the expertise of men and women with impeccable characters to resuscitate the
country and lift it from the present degradation.
Encouragingly, Odinga has brought to his fold great minds
like governor Kibwana, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, prof Mutua Makau and many others who
are likely to feature in his administration to revive the country’s
socio-economic fabric.
Kenyans expect a lot from the Odinga Presidency. Even those
in the diaspora where he enjoys a fanatical following believe that his
leadership will defend their aspirations by incorporating some diaspora
personalities in his administration.
As he prepares to take over from Kenyatta in August, he
should remember that the country is embroiled in a myriad of challenges. The
prevailing high cost of living, systemic corruption, unemployment and
overborrowing from global partners have hit a crescendo.
While it’s understood that development is a gradual process,
especially with new leadership, Kenyans are likely to expect a lot from
President Kenyatta’s successor because of what is presently at stake in the
country.
No bull can dominate a kraal for too long unless it’s super
strong. It’s perhaps only Odinga who has managed to do so. From 1997, Odinga
only skipped vying for Presidency in 2002 when he made the Kibaki
"tosha" declaration. For the rest of the electoral seasons, he has
vied for the presidency but “lost” controversially.
It is no mean feat to cobble a team from over 15 political
parties to support your ambitions in an emerging democracy like Kenya. There is
something impressive in Odinga that the 15 leaders have seen that they want him
to showcase for the country.
In the Holy Bible, John 15:13 says that there is no greater
love has no one than this, that one lay down his
life for his friends. The likes of Senator Gideon Moi, governors
Wycliffe Oparanya, Mutua, Kibwana and Dr Mukhisa Kituyi shelved their ambitions
to support Odinga.
In sum, leaders who forgo their ambitions to create
greatness for their fellow men clear the ground for their own greatness. Who knows that one day, Kalonzo or any of the Odinga backers
will also rise to greatness because of their selflessness.
To wrap it up, it's high time supporters of the Azimio
movement desisted from labelling the former vice president with obscene words
like watermelon (indecisive).
Supporters of Odinga must also remember that, if the former vice president went all the way to the ballot, Ukambani votes could have gone to William Ruto. This could’ve catalyzed a repeat presidential election which is costly for the country.
Nyaringo is the president of Kenya Patriotic Movement, a diaspora lobby, based in the US
