"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!"

It is almost laughable how some politicians seeking ODM-K nomination as presidential candidates keep complaining that they are being sidelined either by imaginary forces or sometimes by the press. Do these guys understand what campaigning is all about?

The last time I checked party politics was about seeking an institution within which to ascend to power and, for the ultimate party leader, the task of forming a government. In a democracy, like Kenya is today, all this is sought through competitive politics. This time around the 'so and so tosha' business is not going to do it and there is no reason for anyone to get upset. All ODM-K contenders just need to up their campaigns, as the competition is moving into the next level.

That Kalonzo, Ruto, and others are complaining about being sidelined may be a pointer to their political weaknesses especially their inability to sustain consistent campaigns and / or positive visibility. Maybe it is time for some candidates to realize that the process of 'natural political selection' is upon us and only those with proven records, untainted by inconsistency and dubious dealings, will be around for the last dance. My observation is that the candidate perceived to be outdoing the rest may simply be above the game or is just a much better campaigner for I see no party rules broken thus far. I may be wrong on this but is yet to be informed otherwise.

As long as no stones are thrown and no party rules are broken, then party politics is all about outdoing each other. We see this all over the world. In America we saw the Bush-McCain duel for Republican Party nomination and today we are witnessing the race between Hillary and Obama. The difference is, in Kenya, the weaker ODM-K candidates are refusing to face competition with humility and grace and have resorted to crying wolf, knowing too well there are no national votes beyond manufactured statistics, their villages and misplaced ambitions. Among the current ODM-K presidential candidates, two have previously tried for the big office with only one achieving an acceptable record devoid of rigging. It is therefore no secret that the said candidate starts as a clear favorite.

My advice to Kalonzo, Ruto and the rest is that as much as they have every right to go for ODM-K nomination and attempt to upset the top seed, but they must also be willing to accept the reality that in the interim the press and most Kenyans know who the favorite is and are not afraid to articulate what bestows such rating.

As previously noted by others, accountability must be sought from those who sat on the fence all those years or facilitated the vicious cycle of nepotism in Kenya and are now hoping power will be delivered on a silver plate or on the basis of regional numeric advantage. What do they have to offer us now that they could not stand up for when they were in or close to power? I hope Kenyans are smarter and will say No! Past deeds do matter in politics, which is why Jaramogi Oginga Odinga refused to 'take' the presidency in recognition of Mzee Kenyatta's struggles and that is why we must look into the past records of ODM-K presidential candidates.

- Simon Agwanda Owuor