Kenya: Raila Odinga presidency is inevitable

By Joseph Lister Nyaringo

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 9^th, 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