RAILA HAS A RIGHT TO DECLARE HIMSELF THE ONE TO BEAT KIBAKI

Now the ODM presidential candidates seem to be folding their tentacles from common interest of democracy " the freedom of speech". Raila stated that "the race for State House would be between him and President Kibaki" and all the presidential candidates saw this as an opportunity to antagonize him and suggest that the nominations will not be fair. Infact Ruto after staying on the fence for a while went around his constituency and mobilized his base to state categorically that his power cannot be ignored in rebuttal of Odinga statement. Kalonzo on the hand has refused to present his papers for nomination. What the hell is going on? Someone may ask. I saw this coming, the candidates want the Tosha phenomenon and will not be satisfied until they see this done. The question is from whom do they require this.

I strongly believe in secret they have declared one Tosha. Unfortunately that one person excludes the only person that they need to declare them Tosha. Raila Odinga is expected to declare Kalonzo Tosha while Kalonzo is not expected to declare Raila Tosha. And when Riala turns back and declare himself Tosha everyone turns dark black on rage. It is amazing how people can be selfish.

I have followed politics all over the world, but I have never seen a candidate who does not believe in themselves even when the poll numbers show that they have 0% support. A presidential candidate must believe that he is the right person for the job and everyone else is not and must openly state so. I have seen candidates declare themselves the sole candidate until the last minute when they loose only to come around and support those that beat them. The reason why Kalonzo, Mudavadi and Ruto think that Riala should not believe in himself that much and declare himself the one to beat Kibaki baffles me.

Confidence is not arrogance. Raila is simply confident that he has done enough to be elected president. He has fought for Kenyan's second liberation when Kalonzo, Mudavadi, and Ruto were enjoying the power of corrupt Kanu government. Raila has suffered for the sake of democracy while it is impossible to trace anything like that in Mudavadi's, Ruto's or Kalonzo's life.

Raila has run around, spending his own money, mobilizing Kenyans to vote out the wrong government of Kibaki while the rest have been warming their seats campaigning through Television coverage. Raila has spent his fortune actually popularizing ODM while the rest have hang on his sleeve to be carried around. There are things Raila may have done wrong but certainly not this one. Not declaring himself tosha for ODM presidential candidates will be a disaster because none of the candidates except Balala is willing to do so for him. He does not only deserve it, he has worked systematically for it.

What is disturbing Ruto, Kalonzo AND Mudavadi is simple. They have already nominated their candidate in secret and Raila is spoiling their plan. They now suggest that someone else other Raila is the one who has the chance to beat Kibaki and I say like Shikuku said concerning FORDK that if ODM remain united even a dog will beat Kibaki.

The politics of tribal alienation must end. Let’s be fair. If someone is fit, give him a fair chance to exercise his democratic right. As long as he is not abusing anyone. As long as he is not corrupting the officials or delegates, let Riala campaign as he sees fit. And to Kalonzo, Mudavadi and Ruto I say, this is your chance to build your resume. Do throw good meat to the dogs. Because without unity of ODMK, Kibaki is going back. It happened when FORD split. It will happen this time. None of you can win this alone.

Barack Abonyo