Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has confirmed to both friend and foe that despite being ambitious to lead this country, he is not power-angry. He cares more about the future of Kenya.
Ceding the ground to support ODM party leader and Azimio presidential flagbearer Raila Odinga for the third time is a clear demonstration that Kalonzo is not an opportunist but a leader who puts the needs of the country before himself.
An Australian evangelist in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Desmond Ford once said: “A wise man changes his mind sometimes, but a fool never. To change your mind is the best evidence you have one.”
What does this say about the Wiper party leader?
In my opinion, Kalonzo stands tall as a patriot and a free thinker, who looks at the larger picture to adjust according to prevailing circumstances.
I'm sure, Raila was thrilled when Kalonzo, with humility and a show of selflessness, declared his support at Jacaranda grounds sometime back.
The quest for a better society requires sacrifices and even self-denial. Kenya, being a multi-ethnic society, when an influential leader such as Kalonzo, rallies behind a presidential candidate from a different community, it becomes almost automatic that his community will rally behind that person.
The miasma of anxiety and fear was evident in the Azimio la Umoja Movement before Kalonzo finally agreed to join the team. President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila knew that without Kalonzo, the Ukambani vote bloc was not assured, despite the support the coalition was getting from governors Charity Ngilu of Kitui, Kivuta Kibwana of Makueni and Alfred Mutua of Machakos.
Unfortunately, he is still being attacked by some quarters in the Raila camp, some saying he is indecisive and selfish as he seeks to be running mate.
As the Azimio movement gears up to capture the presidency on August 9, the coalition’s candidate may garner almost 85 per cent of the Kamba community votes because of the former vice president.
Having Kalonzo, Ngilu, Kibwana and Mutua, in the Azimio team, it will be an uphill task for Deputy President William Ruto of the United Democratic Alliance to penetrate the Ukambani region.
It’s a wake-up call for Raila to remember that a friend who always has your back is a true friend.
Kalonzo has demonstrated he can be relied upon more than once. At the right point in time, I’m sure that Raila will reciprocate… it almost goes without saying: You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
The biggest lesson Raila should learn is that very many Kenyans believe in his vision. They trust his values and yearnings for the country’s present and future. Otherwise, if he didn’t stand for anything, we couldn’t see a constellation of political parties and individuals supporting his fifth bid for the presidency.
President Kenyatta, too, deserves accolades for following his conviction. He has served in the highest office and has seen that Raila is a good shepherd to take over the reins of power in August. This reflects bravery and boldness.
A leader cannot lead alone. The ODM leader has to tap on the expertise of men and women with impeccable characters to resuscitate the country and lift it from the present degradation.
Encouragingly, Raila has brought to his fold great minds such as Governor Kibwana, former UNCTAD Director General Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, Prof Mutua Makau and many others who are likely to feature in his administration to revive the country’s socio-economic fabric.
Kenyans expect a lot from the Raila presidency. Even those in the diaspora, where he enjoys a fanatical following, believe his leadership will defend their aspirations by incorporating some diaspora personalities in his administration.
As he prepares to take over from President Kenyatta in August, he should remember the country is faces a myriad of challenges. The prevailing high cost of living, systemic corruption, unemployment and over borrowing from global partners have hit a crescendo.
While it’s understood that development is a gradual process, especially with new leadership, Kenyans are likely to expect a lot from President Kenyatta’s successor because of what is presently at stake in the country.
No bull can dominate a kraal for too long unless it’s super strong. It’s perhaps only Raila who has managed to do so.
From 1997, Raila only skipped vying for the presidency in 2002 when he made the “Kibaki Tosha" declaration. For the rest of the electoral seasons, he has vied for the presidency but “lost” controversially.
It is no mean feat to cobble a team from over 20 political parties to support your ambitions in an emerging democracy such as Kenya. There is something impressive in Raila that the party leaders have seen that they want him to showcase for the country.
John 15:13 says that there is no greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.
The likes of Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, governors Wycliffe Oparanya, Mutua and Kibwana, and Kituyi shelved their ambitions to support Raila.
In sum, leaders who forgo their ambitions to create greatness for their fellow men clear the ground for their own greatness. Who knows that one day Kalonzo or any of the Raila backers will also rise to greatness because of their selflessness?
As a show of respect and gratitude to Kalonzo, it's high time that the supporters of the Azimio la Umoja movement desisted from labeling the former vice president with obscene words like watermelon (indecisive).
Raila supporters must also remember that, if the former vice president went all the way to the ballot, Ukambani votes could have gone to Ruto. This could’ve catalyzed a runoof of the presidential election, which would be costly for the country.
Nyaringo is the president of Kenya Patriotic Movement, a diaspora lobby, based in the US
