political strategy for the luos.

It is perfectly fine if anyone thinks of Raila as a King - that is a prerogative that people in a democratic environment enjoy. As you said,” we should simply try to correct what we deem to be undemocratic and take other peoples contributions positively and make the debate more of policy ideologies.”

What I did is analyze this "monarchial" mindset - as xenophobic, undemocratic, and myopic. I try to keep above the fray. Furthermore, it is contradictory to talk about multipartyism and “ruothdom” [unless it is about a figurehead].

The reality of a political environment where such personality worship and rhetoric takes precedent does not allow for dissension or competing views. It is autocratic and stunts democracy – see where we are as a country as result of decades of “KANU baba na mama”? Nyanza has also been dogged by such a thinking where once “jakom” says something – people, some who are very learned, seem to switch their thinking to “pause”, and if you disagree “to wabirogoyi gi kite”.

It is such thinking of getting the king’s attention that has seen very respectable people insult each other here and elsewhere because they want to be the closest to the kingmaker . That is sycophancy at its worst – as if one Koigi Wamwere is not enough for the country. It is such thinking that saw ODM terrorized in Thika ati because that was a banana mungiki zone.

To date, I still read about how people are upset at Tuju for trying to hold a banana rally in Kisumu –as if as a citizen he did not have such a right. It is such thinking that has now burdened us with his “Excellency the drunkard” [here I am name calling] Kibaki, because democracy only means “the house of mumbi” can lead.

It is one’s total democratic right to hero worship and I will stand up to make sure they retain such right. But my wish is that we free our minds from the cult of personality and now is a good time to start.

Mano ekaka anene

Ochieng’ jaseme