On Raila's Candidacy

Should we support Raila's presidency because of the simple fact that he is a Luo?

Looking at the raw politics in Kenya, one would make a good decision by backing Raila, if you are a Luo. The reason for this reasoning is what is happening in Kenya presently. Whereas Kibaki has proved that he can steer a way from party politics and concentrate on Running the country through his Ministers and Public Machinery, most of the choices he has made on the personnel running these Ministries leaves a lot to be desired. There is a tendency to base appointments primarily on tribal affiliation rather than equity and merit. This has given us the impression that as a President he has failed to represent the republic of Kenya and more specifically the 42 tribes that make up Kenya as a Nation.

Can Raila do better than Kibaki if he got the chance to be our President? Only past and future trends can confirm that. The point I am trying to make is that if you believe that our Son Raila is a formidable force and can competently Manage Kenya into heights of supremacy devoid of tribal favors, promote the concept and practice of equal opportunity in all spheres of government and private, then you need to talk with those who still do not see that potentiality of Agwambo and highlight the picture more clearly instead of becoming rhetoric on trivial things.

It is needless dwelling on the same blog as though that was the only area of concern. "Raila Vs Tuju" is not worth dwelling on all the time as it seems to be the case presently. The fact is Tuju has shown that people can view things differently and make different choices, but the primary goal should be development for the community that you represent.

Raila made a decision to cooperate with Moi just a few years after Moi had frustrated Luo development plans, failed to resolve the murder of Robert Ouko etc...yet there was no much noise made on this decision made by Raila. This was a unilateral decision and I do not think any council of Luo elders was consulted on this at all. Raila was against the attempt by a clique of FORD members such as James Orengo to cooperate with Moi for reasons best known to him. Did he make a good choice cooperating with Moi himself? Was there any benefit to the people out of this cooperation apart from appointments to the cabinet? When he decided not to cooperate with Moi on the Uhuru factor, was this decision in the best interest of every Kenyan and in particular all Luos?

The point is quite clear and the trend is visible as well. If all Kikuyus decide to vote for Kibaki because he is one of them, then all Luos should vote for Raila because he is one of them, and so Kambas for Kalonzo, Kalenjins for Ruto etc.. We need to vote the right person into State House not a mere replacement of Kibaki. If the next President is going to be way better than Kibaki then we need to vote that person in. First we have to understand and believe the vision that the right candidate has for Kenya and judge that vision by the historical facts and trend of practice.

Tuju, as an MP, has done pretty well in terms of legislation and initiating development projects in his Rarieda constituency and he deserves a part on the back for that!

Onyango Okelo