Ideological dilemma as Njonjo endorses Raila

[Senator76]

By John Cheruiyot


The endorsement of Raila Odinga by former king maker Charles Mugane Njonjo was a veritable thunderbolt on the Kenyan political landscape. It sent chills down the spine of both President Mwai Kibaki and Daniel arap Moi who have of late become bedfellows. More so to the retired President who has consistently rubbished ODM luminaries and recently haughtily asked: “What is ODM?”

Indeed Raila Odinga is now becoming something of an unstoppable political force of modern day Kenya. He declared ‘Kibaki Tosha’ and Kibaki became president. His father Oginga declared ‘Kenyatta Tosha’ in the 60s and Kenyatta was elected the first president of Kenya. The same Raila rubbished Uhuru Kenyatta and Kanu in 2002 and formed the LDP which gave Kibaki a ticket to State House.

Like the 60s and like Kenyatta, President Kibaki betrayed Raila by not honouring the MoU. They parted ways the day Kibaki released his cabinet list. Like Kenyatta, President Kibaki began with a purely Gema agenda and a Gema cabinet. He sidelined his partners and relegated them to the political periphery. Raila Odinga has always been a political entrepreneur. He has taken risks. He risked his name and reputation when he endorsed Kibaki in 2002. He clashed with his kinsmen who opposed Kikuyu-Luo political marriage.

Obviously Charles Njojo is indeed a sage from Anglo-Kikuyu community. It appears he wants a political turning point in the Luo-Kikuyu relations in the 21st century. Other Kenyans currently perceive the Kikuyu community as arrogant, selfish and quick to grab. Last year’s referendum pitied the Kikuyu community against the other communities.

It is only prudent that the likes of Njonjo intervene. By asking Uhuru to support Odinga in ODM is the best way to repay the double debt that the Kikuyu community has failed to honour since 1963.

Uhuru supporting Raila is a blessing in disguise. It will help to heal strained Luo-Kikuyu relations. It will help bring sanity and national reconciliation. The move will improve Gema-Luo relations and help bring national reconciliation.

Raila’s brilliant political skills will pay off handsomely in the long run. The recent visit by Senator Barack Obama, the American Senator with Kenyan roots, and a high-flying US politician believed to be eyeing the presidency is significant. His influence in the US and UK is no doubt a real boost for Raila.

It appears Raila’s US powerful connection is sending signals to the UK and from the UK to stewards of UK interests in Kenya. Charles Njonjo has always been a steward of British interests in Kenya. Has he been influenced by his UK masters to endorse Raila?

Kenya no doubt is neo-colony of Britain. No presidential aspirant will assume the throne without their support. Moi became president through Njonjo’s intervention. Even after Moi ejected him from power, he never touched or interfered with Njonjo’s status.

Several issues are alienating Kibaki from his colonial masters. His government has dethroned the British influence in government tenders. Lord Delamare’s son has been in Kamiti Maximum prison for the last three months or so. Is UK desperate to recapture her lost glory since Kibaki took over?

Raila has a website. He has travelled widely meeting all the mighty and powerful throughout the world. He has been to South Africa, Nigeria, Germany US and UK. During the world cup season he advertised his presidential bid internationally. Both Nigeria and South Africa are western prefects in Africa whoever they endorse and recommend is likely to pass the exam. Has Raila passed the test?

Raila is no doubt surrounded by some of the greatest brains this country can boast of. Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o one of Raila’s advisers hosted Charles Njojo recently and before long Moi’s fanatical rejection of ODM fizzled out. It appears Charles Njonjo is at last re-emerging as a political coach. It should also be noted that the Mt. Kenya elite has dominated Kibaki’s presidency relegating the Kiambu to the periphery. It may explain why Muite, Njonjo’s point man has been by-passed and ignored by Kibaki. It appears Kibaki punished the Kiambu mafia when he took over the presidency hence the move to support a Luo candidate come 2007 is tied to the destiny of Kiambu. It appears the Luo-Kikuyu relationship has been for the good of the two.

This indeed is a scenario that makes Kenya’s political landscape unpredictable and impossible to divine.

The Luo were mad when Raila supported Kibaki but gave their votes for Kibaki anyway. The fallout between Raila and Kibaki did not make the Luo reject Raila. Instead the community stood by him. The Luo is a united community. It is also outspoken, assertive and fearless.

Charles Njonjo remains a mystery to most Kenyans. He is an Afro-Euro. He is a Briton and a white man in a black skin. He is truly the black man the British colonialists wanted to create. But his latest move to embrace a Luo may be linked to Obama’s influence. Anybody supported by a western powers; chances are Njonjo will support such a man.

Charles Njonjo did not want the East African Community; does he still resist the notion of the federation? Is this a move to curtail the East African Community? Is Raila for the federation of EAC? Kibaki is for it and so is Musevani. Will Kenyan elite forego Kenya’s presidency by abolishing each country presidency for EAC presidency? Why is Raila desperate for Njonjo’s endorsement?

Will he influence Raila to play an Anglo-American game?

During the coronation of Ruto as a Kalenjin leader Raila noted that Kibaki’s government is relying on service industries, which he said, do not create jobs. He disclosed that ODM-K would pursue manufacturing as an economic paradigm to create wealth and jobs for Kenyans.

Kenya today requires a leader who has the grasp of economic ideas that will help expand the GDP. Obama observed in his trip to Kenya that S Korea and Kenya were at par in the 60s yet today but are now light years apart economically. The Asian tigers pursued manufacturing as a tool of wealth creation while Kenya pursued the colonial path of being a market for manufactured goods from the colonial master and a supplier of raw materials for the same. The presence of the British army in this country since 1963 is almost a prove that we are still but a colony.

Will Raila pursue Asian paradigm should he be elected Kenya’s president?

It should really be noted that Kenya has not been ruled by a president after the welfare of the people. Since independence Kenyan ruling elite has pursued self-interests and that of the foreign masters than the pursuit of wealth creation for the millions of poor Kenyans. Every president has pursued the path of self-glory and wealth for self and for the sycophants.

It doesn’t matter who becomes president as long as the economy and the GDP grow. Had Kenyatta and Moi landed Kenyans on economic paradise the presidency would not be a tribal affair it is today. The Luos want a president from their backyard for posh jobs and glamour that goes with power. The same is true for every tribe. The presidential aspirants that run for presidency in Kenya are tribal hegemonies and opportunists who want to enrich themselves and care less for the poor subjects.

Is Raila committed to a Kenya where all the 30 million have equal opportunities or another Kenya with the same stupid policies and stupid economy?

Ultimately Kenyans and not Njonjo will choose the president. It is sad that presidential aspirants are busy seeking foreign endorsement to rule the nation. Such a move goes along way to prove one thing: Kenya is still a foreign property. That Kenya is ruled from London or Washington making it irrelevant to the citizenry.

What is obvious to Kenyans is one. Our leaders are after riches and instant wealth. They want power to expand their businesses and grip on power forever. They want to be the richest and the most pampered lot. Will it make a difference to Kibera people and the Luo if Raila Odinga became Kenya’s president? Did it make a difference to the Kalenjin when Moi was president? Can we say the same for Gatundu during Kenyatta’s time? Today politicians are the most paid lot yet spend hardly three months annually in parliament. Why is it that American and European MPs spend more time in parliament while ours do not? Why should a poor nation pay it leaders a package of a first world even when they contribute nil to the economy?

Hence the presidency and the pursuit of the same is vanity in this country and Africa in general. The presidency is a curse in Africa and Kenya. The battle for the presidency has began. Will it end in just another betrayal of the Kenyan people?

jcruiyo@yahoo.com

[Mulosh]

The endorsement of Raila Odinga by former king maker Charles Mugane Njonjo was a veritable thunderbolt on the Kenyan political landscape. It sent chills down the spine of both President Mwai Kibaki and Daniel arap Moi who have of late become bedfellows. More so to the retired President who has consistently rubbished ODM luminaries and recently haughtily asked: “What is ODM?”

Why charles Njonjo's endorsement be a thunderbolt in kenya? People forgot about Njonjo a long time ago. I don't know but could someone in the know here tell me if Njonjo is still anybody in Kenyan politics? I thought the Duke of Kabeteshire became irrelevant a long time ago! If Raila is serious, and I think he would like to be, he should distance himself from this Njonjo who if he was given a chance, he would sell Kenya back to the British. His Britishness is well documented...let me not get into side issues, but fact is Njonjo is as good as nobdody! anybone agree or disagree?

[misterk]

a Njonjo endorsement for Raila is birds of a feather....maybe they'll both toast champagne bottles to another collapse of the new EAC??

[mzalendo mkenya]

Originally Posted by misterk

a Njonjo endorsement for Raila is birds of a feather....maybe they'll both toast champagne bottles to another collapse of the new EAC??

Njonjo is a spent fowl. He has outlived his purpose. Now the Luos are praising him knowing well he could not shake the hand of a Jaluo for the fear of contracting cholera. What hypocristy. His endorsement of Raila is inconsequential.

[Songa Songa]

Always a bridesmaid .. but never a bride

[junelinternational]

Njonjo who?

Cahrles mugane Njonjo is a nodybody in kenya, l bet even if he went back to kabete he will not win, if thats the best kikuyu raila can have, he is walking on thin ice.

[Senator76]

Good comment after all there is better Kikuyu..majority are brown-teeth lanky walking tribalists and more of them theives...ODM doesnt care much about central province vote..we won referendum without central province..why not general elections?

[KayJay1]

you and Joe Opiyo, are trully buds of a feather, how do you sleep every nite with so much hate on the inside...wake up every morning and ran to the computer to spew more hate? I can't understand....

[mzalendo mkenya]

Originally Posted by Senator76

Good comment after all there is better Kikuyu..majority are brown-teeth lanky walking tribalists and more of them theives...ODM doesnt care much about central province vote..we won referendum without central province..why not general elections?

We voted together against the consitution during the referendum. I was convinced that the constitution was not good after reading through it. However, my understanding was that voting against the costitution did not mean voting against Kibaki. I still approve of Kibaki's leadership and will vote for him.

Be informed that referendum was about katiba, not Kibaki versus ODM. But opinion polls that put Kibaki at 45% versus combined Raila+Kalonzo (33%) shows that Kibaki will win.

ODM is breaking leaving only Raila at 25%.

[Mulosh]

Originally Posted by Senator76

Good comment after all there is better Kikuyu..majority are brown-teeth lanky walking tribalists and more of them theives...ODM doesnt care much about central province vote..we won referendum without central province..why not general elections?

Clearly, this is not the langauge of a very intelligent person is it?