Predictably, the next president will be former Prime Minister Raila Odinga or Deputy President William Ruto. The road to the State House has never been a walk in the park in Kenya. That is what makes Kenyan presidents respected in the domestic and international arena.
Raila and Ruto have different temperaments and approaches to addressing issues that are germane to Kenya. Nonetheless, it would give Raila an added advantage over Ruto if he went into the election with former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka on his side.
Kalonzo would bring to the table his experience in domestic and foreign policy. Kalonzo is a foreign policy wonk. He understands foreign policy in and out. The man from Tseikuru marshals questions with very simple but commanding answers.
However, Kalonzo has been disappointing, especially to Azimio supporters. His rabble-rousing and flip-flopping have not worked well for him and his Wiper party. His indecisiveness and uncomplimentary remarks against Raila are his shortcomings. His respect keeps dimming in instalments.
If he rejoins Azimio, Kalonzo is going to be an existential problem to Raila’s government in case he forms one. If I were Raila, I would shrug him off as a matter of urgency. So far, everyone is acquainted with his surreptitious moves. Even if he goes back to Azimio, he will be voiceless. No one will listen to him.
Raila is a principled man. He understands his stealthy political moves. He is ahead of his likes in thought process. I believe he knows Kalonzo’s grandstanding and body language better than most of us. For Kalonzo, he should know that wisdom is knowing the right path to take but integrity is to take it.
Kalonzo must prove that he has integrity and be ready to stand by it with principle and unpretentiously. He should not wallow in attention-seeking and political opportunism. As it is, this nation requires a leader that belongs to everyone. Integrity is the lifeline of any active democracy but deceit is a poison in its veins.
Undoubtedly, Kenya is on a new path to greatness. Our road may be rough and tough, the journey odious. Nonetheless, to wipe out corruption and clean our messy house, we need men and women of vision and mission. Leaders like Kalonzo must prove they possess those traits. Now that there is light at the end of our darkest tunnel, indecisive leaders should not be quick at eating their cake and at the same time want to have it.
After causing drama in Azimio, Kalonzo will never be respected by anyone even if he comes back to support Raila. If he comes back, he can only be tolerated because of the votes he is bringing. Raila will not reject him but he may not regard him as highly as before.
In fact, if Kalonzo comes back to Azimio – because he obviously has nowhere to go unless he vies for Presidency – which he has already threatened, Raila will only put up with him for the sake of the upcoming elections. Once election is over, he is likely to dump the man from Tseikuru.
Going by Raila’s body language, it is evident that he gave up on Kalonzo long time ago. He is tired of begging him to come back. Instead, he has embraced the outgoing Ukambani governors Charity Ngilu of Machakos and professor Kivutha Kibwana of Makueni. Most likely, if Raila wins the August 9 elections, he is likely to drop Kalonzo Musyoka but hold on to other Ukambani leaders. If he does that, Kenyans will understand him.
Kalonzo and his likes should know that their overtures and political gymnastics are unfit for our moral consumption. Holding the country hostage because of his irreducible minimums can do more harm to the country than good. If he keeps on like this, he might end up destroying a flamboyant career that he has built for many years.
Finally, as we near elections, Kenyans must maintain their eagle-eyes so as to discern political opportunists in their midst. As a nation, we are peopled with ingenuity and resources. We must therefore annex our God-given potentials to benefit us; not to benefit those who ‘prostitute’ our collective minds at the slightest opportunity.
(The writer sells Bananas in the streets of Kisii town)
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