Two visions are competing for the soul of Kenya.
One is divisive and largely inspired by mundane politics, while the other is unitary, an attempt to right decades of injustices, and skewed ethnic power relations.
Democracy was mangled in 2013, and twice in 2017, when two dominant ethnic forces fled with state power through gerrymandering, vote fiddling, and militarisation of the ballot.
The executioners of the 2013 and 2017 electoral aberrations read from Mwai Kibaki's 2007 script: A president elected through a united vote in 2002, drove the country to the precipice of the apocalypse.
Greed for power blurred the national good. Abuse of democracy in 2007, 2013, and 2017, left half the country divided and bleeding. Yet Tanga Tanga politicians, especially from Central Kenya, are still craving to divide, dominate, and then misrule.
Conscientious Kenyans want a country that thinks, learns, and understands what's been wrong for 60 years of Independence. Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka occupies the side that says, “come we reason without ethnic jaundice, denial, lies, and demonic prejudices”.
In a viral video from a Citizen TV show, Onyonka exposes truisms the jaundiced often ignore. The MP banishes the view that Raila Odinga is not 'sellable' in central, while ignoring the dynamics of elections the former prime minister lost.
Onyonka says, "In 2002, Raila would not walk in Kisii. We used to throw stones at him. Right now he is a hero in Kisii."
Simeon Nyachae was then running for president. The Abugusii believed their son stood a chance. Raila was then campaigning for Mwai Kibaki.
In 2007, 2012, and 2017 Raila was ogrenised in central because he was running for president against Mt Kenya homeboys Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta. When votes did not add up, the 'System' used the electoral agency to fiddle with the ballot.
The Abagusi have since moved on, as Mt Kenya hawks wallow in prejudice of the make-believe world of demonizing an individual to score short-term political goals. For cantankerous Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, and other Tangatanga voyeurs, it's their way or the highway.
“The position of the Deputy President is non-negotiable for the Mt. Kenya region. We also demand 40 per cent of all government appointments."
Mt Kenya's irreducible minimum in the 2022 General Election include the presidential running-mate slot, 40 per cent of ministerial positions, 40 per cent of principal secretaries, 40 per cent of CEOs in state corporations, and 40 per cent of all other government appointments.
The entitlement complex is divisive. Tyranny of numbers, domination of the weak by the strong, and ethnic superiority complexes are not options. Claims that Mt. Kenya population accounts for 40 per cent of country is ethnic jingoism.
Were Tangatanga voyeurs, whose chorister is Kuria, to get 40 per cent of Kenya for 13 per cent of the population where would this leave 87 per cent of Kenyans who cry equity?
The demands are ridiculous, but Mt Kenya isn't merely playing hard to get. The ramble in Mt Kenya is a script from Corey Robin's 'The Reactionary Mind'. They are motivated by "the felt experience of having power, seeing it threatened, and trying to win it back."
Fifteen years of Jomo Kenyatta reign; a decade each for Kibaki, and President Kenyatta impose a sense of entitlement among the Kikuyu. In 2013 and 2017, the Kikuyu fled with 60 per cent of the Executive as the Kalenjin hoarded 40 per cent.
This ethnic tango of presidential relay between two communities, which has run for 60 years, is divisive. It's the reason for historical injustices and national discordance.
The Uhuru succession election presents two visions: Raila Odinga's declaration of national unity, Azimio La Umoja, and William Ruto's 'Hustler Nation', a view of Kenya as a struggle between the rich and the poor. The choice is yours - to decide the Kenya you want.
