Incompetence And ICC Cases To Blame For Uhuru’s Failure, It’s A Trial And Error Leadership

 By Joseph Lister Nyaringo, USA

The current state of our nation begs this critical question: how can a government led by sharp and fresh minds encounter too many false starts just 4 months after taking office? President Uhuru and his deputy took office with fervent optimism to lay a firm foundation that will transform Kenya into a regional hub for prosperity.

Is it a lack of preparedness from the two leaders after the hotly contested election in March, if the emotions often exhibited by Ruto in Churches are given credence? The President and his deputy have in a couple of times stated publicly that they never thought the Jubilee ticket would win the elections.

Another reason perceived to be behind the premature start by the government is the ICC cases facing the President and his deputy. With an imminent case in court, whether you have high chances of vindication, it’s normal to be nervous especially when you are accused of the worst crimes in the history of mankind. There is every reason for Uhuru and Ruto to worry about their future before they worry about the future of those they lead- Kenyans.

The above brings this critical point to the fore, who will bear the burden of leadership lapses when the President and his deputy will be attending court sessions in Europe? Suppose the citizens rise up and demand the stepping down of the President and his deputy so that Kenyans can elect new leaders, will this be a popular decision?

Who is to blame for all the challenges bedevilling the new administration? Did Kenyans make a mistake to vote for Jubilee, or did the Judiciary err to give the Uhuru and Ruto, a free hand to vie for office?

The adage of new brooms sweep clean does not apply to the current government. When an infantile leadership still in a celebratory mode for victory fails to quell minor challenges, it leaves many Kenyans in Queer Street.

The majority of Kenyans know the challenges of leadership but they need to see hope like they did in 2002 when Narc under Kibaki, came to power. They need reassurance from the government that the myriad challenges they face will be tackled.

Kenyans want the government to succeed by fulfilling the campaign promise they made. We don’t want to see a situation where the words were spoken by the former US secretary of State for African Affairs; John Carson before the last elections come to fruition.

Despite the fierce court battle which followed the last elections, it will reflect us as a nation prone to doomed choices if the current government falls flat, thereby, justifying Mr Carson’s warning of far-reaching consequences in the event Jubilee leaders were elected.

It’s upon the President and his deputy to weigh between what is good for them at the individual level and 40 million Kenyans who rely on their leadership for the future of our nation. If the heat turns to be too high, resigning from office the way one of the US Presidents; Richard Nixon did in 1974 as a result of the Watergate scandal will be the best option so that Kenyans will get an opportunity to elect a new slate of leaders with less baggage to steer the nation forward.

We want to see our two leaders thaw the confusion in government. The imbroglio between the President and Telecommunication companies over the ICC evidence, the discontent from governors over devolution, and hostility from members of the public who are hard hit by the tough economy need to be addressed to build public confidence. Besides, we hope the doctors, lecturers, civil servants; the KDF who raised an alarm a few days ago about their remuneration have been addressed by the government.

One of the worst challenges facing the government of Uhuru and Ruto is the polarized status of our nation. We are more disunited as a people more than in 2008 when the country was embroiled in the post-election violence. Ethnic disharmony is at the high ebb and continues to be perfected by the government, especially through the allocation of senior government jobs with no regard to meritocracy, and ethnic and regional balance.

How does it help to build ethnic harmony and a united nation, when the Head of the anti-terrorism unit Boniface Mwaniki; CID Director Ndegwa Muhoro, Transport Cabinet Secretary Michael Kamau; KAA Chief Security Officer Eric Kiraithe; KAA GM Stephen Gichuki are the top names of the team tasked to investigate the JKIA fire tragedy; all from the President’s community?

There is no doubt about the knowledge level and professional prowess of the said individuals but truly, does this picture of open-nepotism boost the diversity of our nation?

Kenya is a nation of 42 ethnic communities but it's worrying when 65% of the Jubilee Cabinet is comprised of people from Uhuru and Ruto’s communities. We also have a big ethnic imbalance in the army and the national intelligence service.

How can the Jubilee government keep sacking people from perceived anti-government communities and expect not to face resistance? We cannot condone excuses from a government which is full of nepotism and instead of building bridges between the 42 Kenyan communities, it's burning them down.

Just recently, the Secretary for labour Kazungu Kambi; sacked the NSSF managing Trustee Mr Tom Odongo and replaced him with Hope Mwashumbe who is from his region. As if this was not enough, Mr Zachary Ayieko from Kisii was shown the door as the CEO of Kenya Rural Electrification Authority and replaced with Ng’ang’a Munyu; the Presidential tribesman.

If the Jubilee leadership cared about building a united voice after the disputed 4th March elections, professionals like Ole Kiyiapi, Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth, Eugene Wamalwa, and strong voices representing community interests like Abdalla Dida and Musalia Mudavadi should be at the help to help pacify current disunity in the Country.

Remember, Kambas, Kisiis, Luyias, Turkanas, Luos and the majority of small tribes from the Coast are fully behind the political opposition yet Jubilee is on a spree of axing professionals from the said communities from public assignments and replacing them with their cronies.

Too bad for President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto. Truly, if the heat is too much for our two leaders as the signs reflect, the most honourable thing to do is to yield their positions to pave the way for an opportunity where Kenyans will elect a new slate of leaders able and ready to move the country forward.

Redeem Kenya Demo: Lobby Group Calls on Kenyans to Protest Over Corruption

“We can’t sit and watch as our Country continues to be mutilated by known thieves,” said President of KEPAM, Joseph Lister Nyaringo.

The lobbyist said the demonstration dubbed “Redeem Kenya Demo” will be held on March 30 across the country.

Nyaringo, who is the coordinator of the initiative, said the demonstration will not spare any leader or chief executive officer who has been adversely mentioned by relevant agencies of being involved in graft.

“We are planning demonstrations in all parts of the country to decry the numerous corruption scandals currently bedevilling the country,” said Nyaringo, adding: “Kenyans from all walks of life at home and abroad through the Redeem Kenya Demo are prepared to eject the looters from office. After all, it’s the taxpayers’ money that affords them the luxury in those offices.”

Maurice Odhiambo, who is organizing the demo in Western Kenya said the country is not a sole proprietorship but a nation of 45 million who claim its shareholding.

“If you are an MP, Senator, Governor, Judicial officer and you’ve been adversely mentioned of abetting corruption let them be prepared to see the wrath of wananchi through the revolution that’s coming,” Odhiambo said.

The lobby group said it intends to pursue all legal avenues to recover grabbed public properties and funds stashed in offshore accounts by the corrupt.

KEPAM is also appealing to Kenya’s foreign partners especially the US, UK and European Union (EU) nations to come to the country’s rescue in the fight against graft.

Robert Ndede, an official of KEPAM in New York questioned why the US government has not implemented tough sanctions including the freezing of offshore accounts, blocking international criminal deals and travel bans on Kenyan government officials implicated in looting.

“Our country cannot continue celebrating the men and women who loot with impunity and after every 5 years, they use the loot to lure voters to elect them,” said Dr Tom Mogondo of Kansas City, Missouri.

“Kenyans at home and abroad are now in one accord… The poor, students, farmers, touts, the jobless etc are the majority while the looters are the minority. We have the capacity to defeat this minority so that we can restore our nation and put it in the right hands,” said Ali Ali from Britain.

The KEPAM officials are appealing to “Kenyans from all parts of the country who believe in social justice, fairness, equity and equality to come out in large numbers so that together, we can send the looters home under the Redeem Kenya Demo.”

“Restoring Kenya will need the sacrifices of Kenyans in global North, South, East and West,” said Mogondo.

Redeem Kenya Demo: Lobby Group Calls on Kenyans to Protest Over Corruption

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

When Kenya’s state machinery recently blocked Deputy President William Ruto from a private engagement in Uganda, it reflected the desperation and the fear the government he serves has towards his candidature to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in next year’s general election.

If indeed Ruto, has been travelling outside the country before without any fuss, why start restricting him now when the country is less than a year to the next election?

It doesn’t matter whether it’s a senior government official or a regular citizen who is curtailed from exercising his or her freedom of movement and assembly… All Kenyans have a right to enjoy the rights and fundamental freedoms in the Bill of Rights as provided in the current constitution.

Using state machinery to stifle the movement of the country’s deputy president is so humiliating and a sign of fearmongering.

If Ruto’s “hustler movement” campaign slogan has spiralled Ruto’s support base in the country against the expectations of his boss-President Uhuru Kenyatta, so be it. Democracy MUST be left to take its course.

You can try to silence the singer, but you can’t kill the song. As Kenya strides towards the 2022 general election, Ruto’s political momentum continues to shine. This created a state of panic to President Kenyatta and Ruto’s political opponents like former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former Vice Presidents, Musalia Mudavadi and Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.

On the aborted trip to Uganda, a Turkish national, Harun Aydin, who has since been deported to his country, has been strongly associated with Ruto in a negative way. This is despite the Kenyan government records indicating that, he indeed has a legit Kenyan work permit with business interests in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.

While it’s prudent to protect Kenyans from undesirable foreign characters, it doesn’t appear like the Turkish national posed any grave danger to the safety and security of Kenyans.

I challenge the government of Kenya through the registrar of companies, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Banking and Fraud Unit (BFU) and the office of the Ugandan High Commission in Nairobi to tell the country what they know about Mr Aydin.

First, what is anathema is associating the Turkish man with terrorism when he is a friend to Kenya’s Deputy President. Secondly, going ahead to deport the man has completely diluted the truth and reflected that, the government of Kenya is not being honest with the truth.

Terrorism poses a direct threat to global peace and security. In the last 4 decades, Kenya has suffered massively at the hands of terrorists. That’s why it’s a delicate balance to associate a Kenyan or even a foreigner with the heinous act. The first terror activity in the country occurred in 1980 at the Norfolk hotel, which was owned by Israelis. It was followed 18 years later by the 1998 US embassy bombing. Other sad memories include the West Gate Mall, Garissa University and Nairobi DuistD2 hotel attacks.

If indeed the government had enough evidence that Turkish man who is Ruto’s friend is a terrorist, the best thing to do was not to deport him but rather to adduce evidence in a court of law, have him face justice in Kenya.

Every human being trudging in the land of Kenya should be subjected to due process. Many Kenyans are in a quandary whether they will ever know the truth about the Turkish national after he was clandestinely deported out of the country. This is despite the government of Kenya stating that Mr Aydin, out of his own volition, decided to fly to his motherland.

I wonder how an alleged criminal “terrorist” could dictate authorities in a country with a sound criminal justice system to do what he wants. Secondly, I wonder why the government of Kenya has not asked deputy President Ruto, to record a statement about his association with the Turkish national and the aborted Ugandan trip.

The government cannot act like cartographers who say we have latitude and longitude lines running in the vertical and horizontal positions of the Earth but still maintain that the lines are imaginary!

Is Aydin, a terrorist or it’s a mere scheme to damage Ruto’s reputation since he is currently the frontrunner to succeed President Kenyatta? 

The Kenyan society has an informed citizenry. That’s why Propaganda and innuendos may not sway their opinion about current political leaders running for high office in the country. In fact, the negative maneuvers by the government to derail Ruto politically may end up working for the downfall of the candidate President Kenyatta wants to groom as his successor.

Presidential hopefuls who are friendly to Uhuru, like Odinga, Mudavadi and Kalonzo must tread carefully lest they ruin their bid.

What Ruto, is going through in a government he serves as deputy, is not a new phenomenon in Kenya’s political terrain. The late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and Daniel Moi, went through agony under Kenya’s first President Jomo Kenyatta. Even the late George Saitoti, and Dr Josephat Karanja never found it rosy while serving under the Daniel Moi Presidency.

As debate rages on the Uhuru succession, many Kenyans who remember the country’s history in the freedom struggle believe that blocking Ruto from visiting Uganda is rewinding back the clock to the dictatorial KANU days of the late president Daniel Moi.

Its retrogressive, archaic, and dictatorial, at this age and time to prevent a Kenyan from exercising his or her freedoms of movement and assembly. After all, freedom is a God-given tenet, unless one wants to exercise it by exerting evil schemes upon others.

Power is temporary; power doesn’t last forever. One can be at the top but may not remain there forever. Today, Jacob Zuma, the former President of South Africa, the continent’s richest country is in prison for being in contempt of court.

President Kenyatta, Odinga, Mudavadi and Kalonzo seem to have forgotten the psyche of Kenyan voters. They always like identifying themselves with the man or woman who is castigated and humiliated by the political elite. This is the category Ruto falls under today.  

Finally, I want to challenge the government of Kenya to arrest Ruto and have him judged in a court of law. We are tired of imaginary labels on leaders when we have a functioning judiciary and investigative organs.

Nyaringo is the President of Kenya Patriotic Movement, a diaspora lobby based in the US

Kenya for All: Diaspora Aspirants hold Strategic Meeting in USA

 By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

New Jersey USA.

The following is a joint statement arrived at a meeting held by political aspirants in Delaware USA. I decided to send it to you to see if it can serve as a news item for your esteemed media.

A caucus for Diaspora political aspirants from different parts of the USA in the coming general elections was held in June 24th in the State of Delaware. The meeting whose theme is Kenya for All discussed a wide range of issues on the status of our nation, which culminated to several resolutions.

The aspiring candidates met amid controversy surrounding the voting rights of Kenyan diasporans in the coming elections and the mutilation of the new constitution by sitting MPs.

The meeting resolved to form a forum dubbed “Kenya for All” which will address several issues among them the voting rights of Kenyans living abroad, organize political debates for all candidates running for office in Kenya and abroad and sensitize voters to elect value driven leaders as the only benchmark to transform the nation.

The aspirants who will vie for different positions plans for a Kenyan homecoming and also hold joint campaigns to showcase the agenda they have for their constituents electorates.

They singled out certain Presidential candidates whose support for Kenyans living abroad is lacklustre. The meeting challenged honourables Uhuru Kenyatta, Musalia Mudavadi, and William Ruto for being averse to matters affecting Diasporians but lauded Prime Minister Raila Odinga, honourables Martha Karua and Peter Kenneth for being the only presidential candidates who passionately support Diasporians, especially on voting rights as stipulated in the current constitution.

Parliamentary aspirants who attended the meeting included, Jimmy Onkangi, Kitutu South, Joseph Lister Nyaringo, Bobasi, Denzel Musumba, Teso South and Shem Ogamba, Kitutu North constituencies. Three gubernatorial candidates, George Munyotha, Dr Barrack Abonyo, Dr Matunda Nyanchama who are gubernatorial candidates for Kiambu, Kisumu and Nyamira counties respectively, attended the meeting and a senatorial candidate for Nyamira County Mr Sam Abuga Mweberi. Several other candidates from USA and Canada sent their apologies.

They promised to hit the ground and educate Kenyans on how to identify the right presidential candidate before casting their votes; stressing that the same candidate must be a reformer, a believer in social justice and one who is consistent and incorruptible.

“Presidential candidates should not take Kenyan Diasporians for granted. We cannot support an individual merely because of talking tough or giving hefty promises but, consider their credentials, and track records especially on building democratic tenets, respect for the rule of law, and advocating for marginalized groups- the poor, women, children, youth and students,” Said Joseph Nyaringo, one of the organizers of the caucus.

“We have put a microscope on all Presidential candidates and those with dubious records, purveyors of negative ethnicity and impunity will not be tolerated in current Kenya, “said Sam Mweberi.

The meeting reiterated the importance of the coming election, which has a great promise for Kenya, especially the provisions in the current constitution which among other things gives Kenyans living abroad the opportunity to cast their votes.

However, it was pointed out during the Delaware meeting that the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) hasn’t laid down modalities to ensure that Kenyans scattered in the whole of North America are provided with the opportunity to cast their votes.

It was also pointed out that the electoral body has failed to be specific on why it cannot provide proper logistics to ensure that specific areas in the USA, with a higher presence of Kenyans, are utilized as voting centres in order to attract a higher voter turnout.

The general elections slated in August according to the constitution are likely to be held in March 2013, and this clearly gives the IEBC humble time to put logistics in place and ensure that the majority of Kenyans in the Diaspora gets the opportunity to vote. We have faith in the electoral body and we believe that it is going to be the most independent in our country’s history.

As the constitution stipulates, all Kenyans living abroad have a right to vote for all leaders across the board, from the county assembly persons, MPs, senators, governors and a President. No exceptions!

We cannot condone a scenario to vote for Presidential candidates only since it will undermine the spirit of democracy and reflect that it’s only the presidency, which is more important than any level of leadership in the country. All leadership hierarchies are important to building a prosperous country.

The meeting also challenged candidates spreading the negative notion that Diaspora candidates are detached from the day-to-day challenges facing Kenyans, to remember that, the current constitution that borrowed heavily from the USA model is likely to be actualized if many candidates who have been exposed to American institutions are voted in. They pointed out that the devolution of power or the legislative process is similar to that of America.

The candidates also warned Members of Parliament who have perfected the art of making amendments to the current constitution with the intent of perpetuating their selfish ends, to remember that voters are keenly watching them. Come to the next elections, they will be replaced by leaders who will respect and uphold the constitution. It’s sad indeed that a constitution virtually two years old and whose fruits are yet to be tasted by Kenyans is being mutilated for selfish ends.

It’s ironic that the American constitution which has been in existence for over two hundred years has undergone only less than eight amendments, yet the Country remains a global economic leader. Our MPs moves are not only evil but also against the determination of our nation to be a model for upholding the rule of law for posterity and not individual gain.

For purposes of encouraging issue-based politics, the aspirants will organize the first Diaspora debate, which will be held in August in Dallas Texas. It will bring together all aspiring leaders currently living in North America and will also invite Presidential candidates from Kenya to participate.

Raila May Well do a Moi During 2013 Elections

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

Should Raila overcome the present court hurdle by proving the authenticity of his degree from German, he may as well be heading to greater things come the next elections.

In the coming election, the 1992 and 1997 history is likely to repeat itself when a fragmented opposition would not beat former President Moi. This time around, Moi will be none rather than Prime Minister Raila Odinga. And here is why.

The two leaders in the grand coalition government President Kibaki should hold with esteem are Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, because of their positive role to his 10 years of Presidency.

That’s why I think that Raila and Kalonzo are the most betrayed by Kibaki. As he strides towards the end of his political career, he does not appear to favour any of the two to succeed him.

This has sent tongues wagging especially in the Vice President’s camp, which has been holding their breath for payback time from Kibaki. They feel that the President should return the favour that Kalonzo extended to him in 2007 during the disputed Presidential election results.

What shall we conclude about President Kibaki who has been in politics since age 28 and who unsuccessfully vied for the Presidency twice before clinching the seat in 2002?

Shall we conclude that he is a principled leader and not a rewarder of political cronies or an unthankful person who dumps those who help him to ride to his glory?

The Vice President had every right to turn Kibaki down when he offered him the Vice presidency and join Raila’s protesting camp over the disputed presidential election results. Perhaps we would not have the current coalition government, since it would have changed the political equation in the Country.

It’s also remembered that President Kibaki's victory in 2002 is largely attributed to the role played by Raila. The Deputy Premier, just like the Vice President, even if both leaders don’t speak openly, must be feeling that Kibaki owes so much.

I'm 100% sure that the Vice President’s heart bleeds more than Raila’s especially when he sees the succession debate from the President’s community shaping up negatively to his presidential ambitions.

It's true Kalonzo saved Kibaki during the inevitable hour in 2007; a period viewed by many as the most desperate in the President’s political career. It can’t even be compared with 2002 when Raila Odinga, used the phrase “Kibaki tosha” at Uhuru Park.

Several political events have kept the Vice President extremely sceptical. First of all, a party formed by State House insiders- UDF, is spearheading Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to succeed Kibaki.

It remains to be seen if Kibaki will eventually support Mudavadi and if he does, will he succeed in convincing Uhuru Kenyatta to forego his ambitions to support his fellow deputy PM?

If he doesn’t, Mudavadi should not expect any support from the President’s backyard and his exit from ODM will be seen as the most miscalculated political move in recent history.

Secondly, the pact this week which brought together Uhuru’s (TNA), Kiraitu’s (APK), Kimunya’s (PNU) and Kiunjuri’s (GNU), all from Mount Kenya, has left Kalonzo in tenterhooks.

Kalonzo may look passive and sound calm in State House’s silence over his Presidential quest but he bitterly feels betrayed by a community whose man he stood with and accepted to take the number two slot when the Country was smouldering.

When the campaign hits a crescendo soon, Kenyans will hear a lot from the Akamba community who have continued holding their breath; hoping that since their man helped to legitimize Kibaki’s grip on power, Kalonzo would have been his preferred successor.

Watching the vigour with which Uhuru Kenyatta, Peter Kenneth, and Martha Karua are campaigning for the top seat, Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi should not bank on Kikuyu votes. Even if Kibaki will rally behind one of the two, it’s unlikely that the community will deny their own and vote for an outsider.

The formation of the G7 alliance gave a new lease of life to the Vice president who he thought the group will automatically endorse. However, key figures in the alliance are expanding their energy and resources to advance their campaign on the national radar. This is a clear demonstration that the success of the alliance to rally behind one presidential candidate is elusive.

It’s ironic that UDF, URP and TNA parties led by Mudavadi, Ruto and Uhuru respectively were all born almost at the same time except the Wiper party of Kalonzo and New Ford Kenya of Eugene Wamalwa. If these party leaders believed in a similar ideology and unity of purpose, why can’t they rally behind one candidate?

Kenyan Diaspora: Raila Odinga, Martha Karua ticket is a game changer

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

The choice of honourable Martha Karua by Raila Odinga as his running mate for the Presidency in the August 9^th election has been lauded by the Kenyan diaspora as a step in the right direction.  

Both Raila and Karua share similar values in their political journey. More importantly, they fought for Kenya’s second liberation, have never been involved in any graft scandal, and above all, they are value-driven in their public life.

As a personal friend, I know Martha Karua as a distinguished lawyer but, her biggest strength is her humility, incorruptibility, and a strong sense of patriotism.

Like Odinga, who endured detention without trial for 9 years during the reign of the late President Daniel Moi, Martha Karua is brave, firm, bold, and principled. She stood up against Moi’s leadership excesses when it was almost an abomination to openly criticize Kenya’s second President.

As an ardent supporter of the late President Mwai Kibaki, Odinga’s running mate stood for what she thought was right without compromising her principles.

As we stride towards the next election, there is a clear indication that honourable Karua has energized the Azimio la Umoja campaign, especially in her home turf of Mount Kenya. The entire country is excited which is a clear demonstration of what is to come when Kenyans will cast their votes in August.

“The Kenya diaspora is elated; our hopes are sky high. Choosing a woman as running mate in a major presidential ticket demonstrates Odinga’s commitment towards women empowerment and the girl child in our growing democracy.” Said Geoffrey Nyamue, the media coordinator for Azimio la Umoja coalition in New Jersey.

Mr Robert Owino Ndede who resides in New York had this to say, “I’m glad that two leaders who have been in the trenches fighting for the freedom we enjoy will lead the Kenyan government as President and deputy.”

Professor Charles Choti, who resides in Maryland and an admirer of honourable Karua’s political mantra lauded the ticket but sounded diplomatic. Choti argued that the Azimio coalition needs the former Vice president Kalonzo Musyoka to galvanize the Kamba vote. He opines that dismissing him will grant the Kenya Kwanza leader William Ruto a chance to lure Kalonzo into his camp which may complicate Odinga’s numbers in Ukambani.

 The majority of Kenyans in the diaspora who support Odinga, believe in the “gather all scatter none.”  “Those who love Jakom shouldn't dismiss the former Vice president. We need numbers; we need votes to win decisively in August. Kalonzo, is merely fighting for his political space which we all do. He needs to be brought back but not scorned as if he has committed an abomination.” Says Hellen Onyango who resides in Philadelphia.

The diaspora has continued to be Odinga’s bastion for many decades. This is because he acknowledges the role, they play in nation building away from home. During a recent visit by Odinga to Britain and United States, he was accompanied by one of Kenya’s brilliant diaspora scholars- Prof. Makau Mutua. This is a clear indication that Odinga, is likely to factor the diaspora in his administration to address the challenges facing them.

It must be remembered that William Ruto has promised to create a full-fledged government Ministry for diaspora affairs, which has earned him a sizable number of backers, especially in the United States. We don’t doubt Odinga’s understanding of diaspora representation and voting rights which he has spoken about for many decades. With the likes of Prof Makau and ambassador Elkanah Odembo in his fold, Odinga is likely to feature the diaspora in his coming administration.

It’s a step in the right direction for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (EBC) to have included the US, Canada, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and South Africa as countries where Kenyans will be facilitated to participate directly in the Presidential election.

With the understanding that democracy is a gradual process, the Kenyan diaspora hopes that in future, those who are domiciled abroad will be able to exercise their universal suffrage to vote for all elective seats like MCAs, MPs, Senator, and governors.

While other junior elective positions are critical for the success of any nation, the presidency is the citadel. Therefore, the opportunity for the diaspora to vote for Kenya’s chief executive is a boon to our democracy, good governance, and respect for human rights.

The diaspora is also willing to contribute campaign logistics, and ideas as well as mobilise the ground for Odinga’s clear victory. Encouragingly, many Kenyans living in the Middle East, Europe and US have started to travel to Kenya to campaign for the Odinga, Karua presidential ticket.

The Kenya Patriotic Movement (KEPAM) which played an instrumental role in Odinga’s campaign in 2017 under the NASA coalition has reaffirmed its commitment once again to support the ODM leader. The lobby will work closely with other diaspora groups in Europe, Asia, North America, and the African continent to ensure that Odinga is elected President in August.

The lobby which is based in the US through its chairman Lister Nyaringo has confirmed to participate in physical campaigns, rallying Kenyans to travel home during the election period and vote, as well as mobilizing resources and other logistics for the Odinga, Karua campaign.

Odinga’s support base amongst Kenyans is intact in Europe, the US, and the Middle East just like where it was in 2017. The Kenyan diaspora is more united than ever under the banner of Azimio la Umoja to ensure that two reformists ascend to power to rekindle Kenya’s lost hopes.

It must be remembered that the economic boom, infrastructure development, and stability in the country during the grand coalition government are attributed to Odinga, when he served as Prime Minister. There is hope that he could do more if he takes over as President.

The diaspora believes that Odinga’s Presidency will address critical challenges like the clause on duo citizenship which has complicated lawyer Miguna Miguna’s re-entry into the country as well as making the appointment of Mwende Mwinzi, Kenya’s current ambassador to South Korea cryptic.   

It is imperative for the diaspora to be factored into Kenya’s governance. This is the surest way to appreciate the unsurpassed contribution of the country’s external constituency to Kenya's economic development. 

Lister Nyaringo is the President of the Kenya Patriotic Movement a diaspora lobby based in the US