The 2007 and 2002 elections shaped me as a progressive in the Kenyan context for different reasons.
The 2002 election, which I initially supported my good friend and political mentor Simeon Nyachae in his bid for the presidency, taught me and others lessons about resilience, organising and populism. 2007 brought out the nationalism in me I didn’t know I had.
As ODM supervising agent in 2007, my last station was at Bul Bul and as the votes were being counted, we heard this loud wailing from a distance that got louder and louder. My driver and security guard told me we must leave right away. He would later explain to me in the car as we safely maneuvered and hurriedly left the polling station those chants were chants of morans sung while headed to battle.
On the way to Nairobi, which was now past midnight close to 2 am, I was told by phone that my friend Nyachae had lost his seat for Parliament. This was hard to comprehend because how could a giant like that lose his parliamentary seat? I did not believe it.
Little did I know this was just a tip of the iceberg; things were about to explode into the worst experience and dark period our country has had to go through.
As the country was up in flames and nobody really knowing what to expect, a good friend and now senator called me and told me to get ready he was coming to pick me up. We headed to Serena, where Raila and his team were gathered. As we approached the hotel, we saw soldiers lined up on both sides of Kenyatta Avenue as far as the eye can see. My friend beckoned me to follow him. He was fearless, determined and ready to confront the soldiers, but I was not.
Walking down the line, my friend was asking these Kenyans in uniform, why they were there. None could answer but stared straight. Recounting the incident later with family, it downed on me we were just playing with fire and could easily have been shot and become a statistic.
When I told my wife and kids it didn’t matter because we were pained and angry with what an unnecessary eruption of violence, death and destruction of property, the response was what about them? What about the loved ones who would suffer the pain for the rest of their lives because we didn’t care about being shot?
That resonated. Finally.
When we saw Kalonzo being sworn as vice president, let’s just say everyone other than PNU hated him. I recall writing in years to follow everyone hated him except me who didn’t hate him but hated what he did to Raila and all progressives who value fair, transparent and open elections. In the lead up to the 2013 election, we were at Ole Sereni Hotel waiting for Raila to come so that we all head to the last rally for that year at Kasarani. I had a chat with Kalonzo as we were waiting and told him much as he was still hated even after asking for forgiveness and joining Raila, I never hated him and was pleased he was Raila’s running mate.
Ruto is counting on Kalonzo once again vying, once again becoming number three and when there is no 50%+1 winner as clearly will be the case if it is Ruto, Matiang’i and Kalonzo, Ruto is giddy that he would then cut a deal with Kalonzo to avoid being trounced in a run-off with Matiang’i.
That may be the plot, but the people shall have the final say.
