A section of the people from my backyard (Luo Nyanza) is bound to find the opinions expressed in this piece of writing offensive to their political senses and may thus consequently, resort to branding its author with any of the now politically trending labels like rebel, mole or political non-entity commonly reserved for individuals from the lakeside region who dare entertain thoughts of divergent political views and inclination from that of the proud populace.
Some might even consider me a (Raila) critic, an ill-fitting crown not fit to be perched atop my head by any standards. Let it be known however that I have never had any qualms about holding to account, nay criticizing any political leader(s) whom I may or may have not, taken my sweet time to vote or not to vote into office. It is an incontrovertible right bequeathed to me by my single vote. And the Constitution!
Still I’m no critic. I am merely an individual with a penchant for flexing his mental muscle whenever and whichever way it pleases me. For in so doing, it enables me to endeavor to put my otherwise little-exercised mind into an objective reasoning gear, not to mention the much needed boost it accords my writing dexterity and mastery of the Queens language.
But I digress.
It is a fact beyond refute that the former PM holds and enjoys quite an unrivalled political sway over the people of Luo Nyanza. It therefore goes without saying that this ‘political sway’ determines who gets elected and who gets rejected in the race to any political seat in this region. Many a politician from this region have had their political dreams groomed, raised and placed on a pedestal to shine as bright as the milky-way courtesy of this man, Raila. Loyalty to the ODM party leader (what others mistake for loyalty to the party) has had many political non-starters find themselves intimately fondling the bosoms of unexpected great political fortunes. In his trademark clarion declaration, when the son of Jaramogi publicly holds, then raises the hand of a ‘loyal’ politician while declaring them ‘tosha’, by a landslide they get elected. The likes of Mbadi, the late Gerald Otieno Kajwang are just a few of the beneficiaries of what others would call Raila-sycophancy. And now, little known young Moses Kajwang, having been declared ‘tosha,’ has his unexpected political stars fated to rise and take the place of his deceased brother at the race for Homa-bay senatorial seat.
On the other hand however, a great many have had ambers of their political ambitions, dreams and careers not only doused but utterly squashed beyond redemption, never to be lit again for mastering the audacity to go against the gigantic tidal wave that is Raila’s political chokehold over the region. Once given another of his trademark ‘red card’ pronouncements, their political careers begin to take a drastic plummet down the sewers, never to see the light of day, unless of course they change their political tune. Former Rarieda Mp, the illustrious Raphael Tuju, perfectly fits this bill. In comparison, he had what could be considered a perfect blueprint for development as opposed to the rest of his political peers then and now, who have ever presented themselves for leadership positions in this region. Predictably, his promising career (was) tragically sunk down the stinking drains of political oblivion. His sin? Holding a political opinion contrary to that of the Luo kingpin by forming his own political party, something considered a political sacrilege in this region.
Ndhiwa MP Augustino Neto could be fated for this outcome unless he changes his tune and begins some serious bootlicking in an attempt to redeem his standing with Raila (ODM). James Orengo knows this too well the taste both sides of the coin. Now he seems to know which side of his bread is buttered and is keen on keeping it that way.
That said, the danger that comes attached like a malignant appendage to this ‘Raila-friendly’ voting pattern is that one does not have to a bother formulating a development agenda to get elected in Luo Nyanza. All one needs is to publicly declare their undying loyalty to the ODM party leader in every platform and their hitherto dim political star is bound to shine bright. The late Kajwang perfected this art and succeeded in getting elected every time by merely invoking the name of Raila then urging the DJ to “chuo thum” (play the music) at every stop during his campaigns. Once elected, the tune remains the same. All one has to do is focus and concentrate all efforts at safeguarding their ‘good’ standing with and loyalty to Raila with gusto. This is done by uttering that name in every opportune moment at any platform. In return, nobody will question your lack of agenda and dismal performance in office. When your tenure is threatened by lackluster performance, all you have to do is declare people demanding for accountability from you rebels and detractors of the democracy brought by Raila. Which is why the unpalatable and ill-advised move by my Homa-bay governor Cyprian Awiti (whom I voted into office) to lead a delegation to Bondo to petition Raila to come and contest the vacant senatorial seat in the county reeks of political desperation.
Matters are further compounded by the fact that the same Raila never demands for accountability or performance from leaders elected under his tutelage. If he did, matters of development would take center stage instead of the juvenile political gymnastics rampant in this region. In fact leaders here are never elected to serve the electorate. They are instead elected as “bullets to Raila” – or spanner boys and attack dogs to defend and help Raila in his quest.
When election of people who are supposed to champion matters of the county is perpetually based upon their loyalty to the party and to Raila, we will always have in office leaders with little or no sound development agenda or record. And since questioning the integrity and ability of such leaders to deliver is tantamount to going against Jakom, we run the risk of forever yoking the great Luo Nyanza onto the bondages of underdevelopment or its lack thereof, as our peers elsewhere thrive.
Far be it from me to try to question the immense contribution Raila Odinga has made in the country’s second liberation. That some of the liberties I currently enjoy bear his mark cannot be gainsaid. I mean the guy began partaking in the struggles to free this county of some of the worst atrocities before I could even contemplate learning how to wipe my nose.
He is more so credited with the democracy in Kenya and the new constitution. A fact that people from my backyard will sing till cows come. But the irony of this is that Luo Nyanza is one of the most undemocratic of regions in the country. It is the only place where people get jittery when a political leader conducts more than one harambee. Such politician is viewed as a mole, set out to betray the cause of the Luo, divide them and take the mantle of leadership from Jakom.
Recently a colleague shocked me beyond belief when he categorically opined that Raila should firmly dictate how the political affairs of ODM and Nyanza is run in order to bring to an end the ‘noise’ that is currently being witnessed in the county. That democracy cannot work in Africa let alone Nyanza. This from a man who rejoices in ‘democracy brought by Raila! My rejoinder to him was that he was yet to live under the tentacles of true dictatorship.
I do not know about you, but do know that there is little democracy in Luo Nyanza. We are a people whose only idea of democracy is blind and unquestioned sycophancy to Baba. We are yet to attain political maturity and democracy. And we are never united, do not be fooled. So talks about how some people are hell-bent on dividing us is pure balderdash.
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