I took a deserved sabbatical from this column to countenance in retrospect silence the lead up to the August 9 general election.
As much as I’ve tried a detached mien, I find myself strongly drawn to partisanship whichever way I look at the political playoffs. I condole myself, like every other Kenyan, I can’t douse off biases. Indeed, what are democratic choices if not personal biases?
In this detached state, I began introspection of my shadow, attempting nagging questions.
As a westerner, do my compatriots have anything to celebrate under Azimio la Umoja, if outfit wins?
None at all, the soreness begins.
You can see the conundrum in Azimio. Parties are running away citing dishonesty, opaqueness and deceit, lack of trust and transparency, conmanship and betrayal. You’ve condemned aggressively this behaviour under defunct NASA. As predestined, the Azimio hemorrhage that has begun will get worse when affiliate parties realise campaign finance promises were just seduction games.
The Luhya extraction – embarrassing to say – holds nothing in the Azimio hierarchy. They’ve leased their shareholding to the pleasure of Raila Odinga while the rest are caretakers – the famed watchmen - of parties such as DAP-K linked to President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Watchmen. That hurts. It’s why their candidates will be pruned under “zoning” in favour of Jubilee and ODM before elections.
But it’s true the Western legion in Azimio have bargained for nothing. They’re clueless cheerleaders. They're not even invited guests in Azimio!
The Simon Makonde parties they lead have their owners. They’re appendages. Sadly, hawana lao huko! It’s the Luhya curse; waiting "to be given". Complains galore after elections.
How will a Raihuru government behave?
In case, which is wishful thinking, that they win elections, theirs will be a chaotic, disruptive and unstable government from day one. What with the Azimio house already splintering?
Look here, if you can’t convince coalition partners at the formative stages, how will you contain them in the post-election era when they don’t need you?
Did I say, Raihuru government will sputter and die with a lot of pain for Kenyans? Sure, inawajuaji wengi; Azimio will not last six months.
Raila has a lot of bottled bile. He will not be controlled by people he blames for his family's generations of political ostracism. He’s just now hiding that rage, venom, bidding his time to bite. He will rebel and seek revenge the day he's shown in.
There is this story that Raila will be a one-term transition president, or that he wouldn't even finish the first five years due to age and health issues. Such wishes don't account for what power does to people. If it corrupts absolutely the way it has done Uhuru, it also rejuvenates and intoxicates the wielder.
The fissures will occur when Uhuru, as the chairman of Azimio, attempts to assert control over president Raila. Notice that the 23 Azimio parties are Jubilee Party-affiliated, where Uhuru is the party leader. Uhuru amejipanga, I tell myself.
He will control Parliament to manage Raila and that’s where the wheel will meet the road.
All the umbrage will come out in what you might call the final settlement between the Kenyattas and the Odingas. Unfortunately, the country will suffer heavily for it. It’s that scary.
Is President Kenyatta seeking a backdoor into government as Azimio chairman, proposer of Raila and running mate?
For whatever reason, Uhuru doesn’t want to leave office, at least not the authority. He plans remote control of government. Azimio is fit-for-purpose vehicle to induce this eventuality.
Azimio affiliate Simon Makonde-like parties are self-succession maneuvers, or if you’re educated his Achilles Heel. I should take clownish Francis Atwoli, the Cotu boss, seriously: Uhuru is too young to retire…I’ve been dozing through his antics.
Not many Kenyans know that BBI was about Uhuru plotting to become executive premier with Raila as a ceremonial president. That's why he keeps referring to BBI as a "dream deferred". That dream will become a reality, if puppet Raila is installed.
But danger looms ahead. I’m thinking Uhuru’s underrating Raila's ability to live longer and play him too. Will Raila accept to be led by a ring tied to his nose like a castrated ploughing bull once he assumes office? I don't think so. Uhuru will regret the juvenile antics he's pursuing.
What do we expect from DP Ruto's administration, if he wins the elections?
A staggered beginning but eventually a whole paradigm shift in the management of the economy; targeted and even development; a needs-based allocation of resources; a wholesome restructuring of our economic priorities towards productivity and self-reliance.
I’ve been to those county economic forums and the enthusiasm is overwhelming; ordinary folks speaking to power their want of government. Unheralded really! It’s a roller-coaster. A manifesto written by people themselves. A benchmark for bringing government to account. It’s unheard of but it’s happening…
How about Mulembe nation in Kenya Kwanza?
From afar, I see Mulembe nation strategically placed to play a pivotal role in Kenya Kwanza Alliance administration. Two of them — the founding principals Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula — are patched at the top of the alliance hierarchy.
ANC and Ford Kenya have negotiated a 30 per cent share of the government already, mainly developmental, as national parties. Mulembe nation as majority support base, will benefit extensively.
The region's productive sectors, defunct industries, food insecurity and job opportunities will have urgent boost.
By contemplation I’m in the first 100 days of Kenya Kwanza administration; forming a government, implementing reviewed policy…I’m back.
