Raila Odinga’s political journey has inspired
many Kenyans and friends of Kenyans at home and abroad. His resiliency,
Political consistency, and uncanny style of endearing himself to ordinary Kenyans
have enabled him to remain afloat politically for many decades.
In the words of Winston Churchill,
"Success is walking from failure to failure with no loss of
enthusiasm." Odinga has endured many obstacles in his quest to become
President of Kenya. As the clock ticks towards August 9, 2022, voting day,
there is a clear indication that an Odinga Presidency is inevitable.
It must be remembered that Odinga “won” this
year’s election when he thawed the political animosity with his nemesis- President
Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2018 political handshake.
Conversely, Deputy President William Ruto “lost”
the presidency when he openly detested the handshake between his boss and
Odinga and even went ahead to campaign against the Building Bridges Initiative
(BBI) which was birthed by the handshake.
The Azimio Coalition candidate remains the
fulcrum of Kenya’s reform movement. That’s why his Presidential ticket with
Narc Kenya party Leader Martha Karua is a super blow to the Kenya Kwanza
coalition candidate William Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua.
Throughout the campaigns, Ruto has been a
master of doublespeak. Purveyor of blatant lies, disrespectful to his boss Uhuru
Kenyatta and also campaigning with rancour, hate and bitterness. Above all, Ruto’s
political lieutenants lack civility and decorum in their public pronouncements.
The pain Odinga has gone through in the
pursuit of liberty for Kenya has been tortuous and humbling. The Orange
Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader sees hope in every step of the struggle. His
superb interaction with ordinary folks in Kenyan society has enabled him to
unprecedently remain at the political apex for many decades.
The level of anxiety from Kenyans especially
Odinga’s admirers since 1997 when he first contested for the Presidency is on a
crescendo. Many will shed tears of joy when Odinga will be declared victorious
in this week’s Presidential election. The reality of Odinga soon holding the title of “His Excellency” is no longer a mirage but
a looming reality.
Remaining at the political apex for long is
no mean feat but a calling. Odinga never veered off. He never conformed to the
status quo. He always stood with millions of Kenyans who always saw him as the
only liberator from economic, social, and political bondage.
Many political icons who exhibited similar
political values with Odinga, would’ve been his biggest celebrants of his
Presidential victory if they were alive. The late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga,
Masinde Muliro, George Anyona, Kenneth Matiba, Martin Shikuku, George Nthenge,
Chelagat Mutai, Prof Ouma Muga, and Ahmed Bamahariz are true patriots who stood
tall against the KANU government excesses against Kenyans.
With the philosophy of the said late freedom
heroes in Odinga’s political blood, Kenyans have got no doubt whatsoever about the
Azimio Coalition leader’s temerity to transform Kenya into a regional tower in
the African continent when he takes the leadership baton from President
Kenyatta.
In any generation, God will raise a leader
who may not be perfect, righteous, or super knowledgeable. He will use the
leader as a vessel to guide his people. That’s why there is hope that Raila
Odinga and Martha Karua who are both reformers and are blessed with the
strength to put the country on the right footing especially in fighting graft,
injustices, and economic inequality are indeed God-chosen.
The devotees of Odinga and Karua have high
expectations about the incoming leadership. They however must contend with the
fact that, oftentimes, new governments go through false starts before they get
back on the right rails…
Leadership is a calling with synclines and
anticlines. The biggest challenge the Azimio leadership may face in their first
days in office is the hard economic times the country is in and spiralled unemployment.
Kenyans who have clear footage of Raila
Odinga and Martha Karua’s political trails opine that the two are carved from
the same stone. As revolutionaries, they are brave, honest, and incorruptible.
Their yearnings for a better society where individuals' rights and freedoms are
safeguarded are indelible. None has been embroiled in any corrupt scandal.
The two stand out as beacons of hope for the good of Kenya.
It must be remembered that, when Odinga, risked his life to fight for a better society, he did it as a nationalist but not for his Luo tribe. Even Martha Karua who stood up to the late President Daniel Moi’s dictatorial regime did it for the good of Kenya and not her Kikuyu community.
For the first time, Kenyan
voters have a presidential ticket of two resilient human beings with legendary
credentials of emancipation. That’s why, Raila and Ruto’s political ideals are
like day and night. On August 9th, voters who care about the future
of Kenya irrespective of their race, creed, tribe, or social class should cast
their votes wisely.
Whilst the Odinga ticket is facing a stiff challenge from the current deputy President, it must be remembered that the current deputy President has a poor track record on reforms, justice, and fairness in the country. Ruto has been accused of maladministration practices which reflects him as a corrupt person, purveyor of violence and incitement, land grabbing and poor ethical values.
By and large, Odinga and Ruto will be voted on Tuesday on account of where they both stand on the economy, good governance, equity, and equality in the country.
Sound Political leadership is the cornerstone of a successful society. Through it, the future of a nation is defined on the domestic front and on the global stage.
The political fortunes of Odinga have increased tremendously if the current opinion polls by election pollsters are something to go by. As President Kenyatta prepares to exit the stage, his legacy is safe. Making a bold move to defy his deputy and support Odinga for Presidency is a reflection that he understands the intricacies that come with the office of the President.
Finally, many have come but are vanquished
before even making a single political stride. Having been on the political
stage undeterred for many decades, Odinga and Karua stand tall as the surest
bet for Kenya. They hold unparalleled political charm and consistency which is
centred on the collective good of the nation.
Nyaringo is the President of Kenya Patriotic Movement, a diaspora lobby based in the US
