MUGWANG’A: August poll is a battle between reformists and reactionaries

Earlier in this space, I discussed what the choice of a running mate means for the vote, and what it says about the ticket captain.

The choice of a running mate is a decision that is the prerogative of the candidate but they are expected to listen to the voice of their supporters.

The choice, therefore, speaks two things about the ticket captain.

It speaks to the character, conduct and personality endorsement or preference by the candidate, which is also the traits the captain associates with, proudly and loudly.

With this in mind, what are Kenyans’ choices between Raila-Karua and Ruto-Rigathi tickets?

Raila Odinga is a known long-term defender of the common citizen. He has championed democracy, human rights, and better living conditions for Kenyans and the personal price he has had to pay for all this is beyond the comprehension of many.

Still, he did this for many to enjoy a better living space. A classic example of “do good without looking at who is benefiting”.

He has spoken out fearlessly against the scourge of corruption that can cripple an economy, cost lives and make the living state of citizens pathetic, to say the least.

Being a person of upstanding character and unbending principle, it is understandable why Raila settled on Martha Karua as his presidential running mate.

Karua is a woman whose description will not fit in this space. She is a progressive reformist, just like her captain, Raila.

Her name is well inscribed in the history books for her role in the struggle for multiparty democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of political choice, her fearless stand against oppressive authoritarianism and the driven campaign to enlighten and emancipate and empower the girls and women of the Republic.

Both Raila and Karua have vehemently fought against the centralisation of power that was enabled by our independence constitution.

They fought hard to realise the dream of the 2010 Constitution, which birthed devolution. It has been widely described even on the international stage as one of the most progressive legal documents.

Devolution has brought power and resources closer to the people with an impressively positive outcome, and can only get better.

With devolution still young, the country needs to be placed in the hands of its best defenders, for it to thrive and benefit the mwananchi.

Raila and Karua are best described as the father and mother of democracy and devolution.

William Ruto joined politics in the early 1990s. His entry into politics is notable for the formation of Youth for KANU 1992 (YK92) a youth wing tasked with ensuring the re-election of the Kanu government, right after repealing Section 2A of the old constitution that saw the return of multiparty democracy.

Having a political youth wing for campaigns is not a bad thing. However, the unprecedented bribery and voter coercion that YK92 employed is what is most distasteful.

Ruto came out as a man who will hold no bars just to achieve political victory.

At that time, university students were the face and the life of activism politics. They championed better governance and freedoms for expression and association.

As a university student, Ruto was on the opposite side.

He carried that trait to modern-day politics, where he was strongly opposed to the new constitution, which has been such a good deal for Kenyans, requiring only a few amendments.

He led the NO camp and lost terribly, and Kenyans enjoying this new constitution are thankful for it.

A party is as good as its leadership and it is correct to say that under the current leadership, the Kanu party has transformed into a progressive movement.

Back to Ruto, this time with his choice of running mate. Rigathi Gachagua was little-known in Kenyan politics. He served as an administrator in the Moi government.

As an administrator, he has been accused of alleged high-handedness and authoritarianism. He greatly enabled the iron-fist rule of the regime at the time.

Fast forward to 2021, Rigathi has been termed as ruthless and stops at nothing to have his way.

How do you, for instance, explain that majority of the MPs in the alliance voted against his selection as running mate, but still got his way?

Is Ruto a man who disregards the voice of his people, or is Rigathi a man who can play any card to get what he wants, opinion be damned?

At his unveiling as the running-mate, Rigathi did not appear thankful for the position to DP Ruto, his body language kind of shouted “I thought so”. He has, however, come out to assure the deputy president that he will be a “yes sir” kind of a man, which probably means he will just follow orders.

This way, representing the interest of his constituents might be a tall order for the man from Nyeri. Either way, theirs could potentially be a very tense and even distressed working relationship marred by supremacy battles and arm-twisting.

Kenyans have a clear choice on the ballot. Progessive reformists or reactionary authority.

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