AN 'ENIGMA' OF KENYAN POLITICS

HIS EXCELLENCY THR RT. HON PRIME MINISTER;
AN ENIGMA OF KENYAN POLITICS

Many people are left wondering who this man, Raila Amollo Odinga is? Several people refer to him in different ways just to show how they understand him depending on the traits and the support that he wins from the citizens. Some say that, Raila is a double-faced human being that is difficult to understand.  Otieno Kajwang’, Member of Parliament for Mbita constituency in Nyanza Province and a Raila loyalist describes him as a man who triggers many passions in different ways and one who is supported in almost a cultic manner by those who like him and that those who resent him are very frightened of what he can do with the apparent power he enjoys from his supporters. One of his sons and the first born, Fidel Odinga, describes his dad as someone he admires. However much this is his dad, he still says that whenever he watches the rallies, he doesn’t act like a son but a fanatical supporter. Mohamed Abdi Affey, Kenya’s Ambassador to Somalia, a former Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs and former Member of Parliament for Wajir South constituency describes him as a nationalist with a fanatical tribal following.

 
However as some praise him, some also say that he is a propagandist that no other person can match in Kenya since he is able to create an expectation and make people believe that it is real. Some also believe that he is a man who does not represent change but an understanding of money and power. 

However this is what makes him become an ‘Enigma’ in Kenyan politics.

 He is kind of a mystery in the field of politics as it is difficult to understand how he makes it to be popular in this field. Tracing back to the 2002 presidential elections, this man played a critical role in uniting the forty seven tribes of Kenya. It was a mystery to the other candidates as he swayed and banked the support of most Kenyans if not all to rally behind the political vehicle, ‘The National Rainbow Coalition’ (NARC), that he was a key leader.

At that moment, the ‘Enigma’ sought to support the then Othaya Member of Parliament, Honourable Mwai Kibaki, and can be remembered for his historic declaration ‘KIBAKI TOSHA’ at the historic Uhuru Park that drove Kenyans Crazy. With the historic declaration, the NARC Coalition set to succeed the incumbent president, his Excellency Honourable Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi. It is true that the country heard his voice and they settled for nothing other than the presidency that was realised during the month of December as the then Electoral Commission of Kenya chairperson, Mr. Samuel Kivuitu announced Kibaki as the winner so as to end the 28 years of power that Hon. Moi had served as a President.

Kibaki was elected the president but five years later, the role that was played by the Premier was not appreciated and thus Kibaki sought for a second term as Raila sought for presidency on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party ticket that offered a strong challenge to the Party of National Unity (PNU) that was the political vehicle of Kibaki. True to it, the ‘Enigma’ was offered a great support that I term as the ‘Tsunami wave’ that blew across the nation. However as the election results were announced, the results had been rigged. After the disputed general elections, the power was shared between the two principles as Kibaki retained his presidency and Raila became the Prime Minister.

Today (2012), the premier is credited with major constitution amendments and is in the race to succeed the president. However still, he has a vast support from the citizens and still the most popular presidential candidates of the Kenyans, due to his good track record that speaks on his behalf.

Just recently, he joined up with his rival from the Wiper Democratic Party (WDP), His Excellency the Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka in forming an alliance referred to as the CORD ALLIANCE that has once again been supported by majority Kenyans, and is the likely alliance to form the next Government. 

BY  Morris Cerullo
2012