RAILA FOR PRESIDENT

The deafening silence in ODM-K the last two days is an indication that some ODM-K presidential aspirants and leaders seriously believed that ODM-K presidential aspirant Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga will surrender his bid for the ODM-Kenya presidential ticket in favour of somebody else. A flurry of activities to pressure him included the leakage of ODM-K council of elders report; Uhuru and Kalonzo visiting a slum together; Rift Valley and Nyanza MPs meeting to agree on a candidate and the failure of all ODM-K candidates failing to attend a meeting scheduled by the council of elders. All these came to a screeching stop when Hon.Odinga declared that he is in the race to the end. The fact that these people never thought of supporting Raila convinces me that he should ignore all of them and start his campaign for presidency against Kibaki. He should even consider ignoring ODM-K nomination all together and declare himself a candidate now. I believe the second phase of this effort to stop his candidacy will be to use registered ODM-K officials to put some kind of road block in his campaign. Considering what has happened Raila cannot and should not put his fate in anybody’s hand except the people of Kenya. Truly, truly, after seeing the kind of monster that Tosha created, Kibaki, nobody in Kenya should expect anybody to Tosha anybody again especially Raila.

Hon. Odinga was on Kass FM yesterday around 12:30 pm Eastern US Standard Time. He was live at Kass FM studio in Nairobi and the interview was carried live on the internet at www.kassfm.co.ke. Kass FM released a poll that they conducted on same day showing Raila favored by 74% in Rift Valley, followed by Kalonzo at 14% and Mudavadi at 12%. With Nyanza in the bag and at least 25% possibility in Western and Coast, Raila will start his presidential campaign with a minimum of four provinces in his corner. Kass FM poll truly reflects what we believe is the kind of numbers Raila has with 94% of Kenyans. Remember Steadman only polls 6% of Kenyans, the same 6% that enjoys Kibaki’s 6% economic growth. Raila is a man of the people and he will be a president of the people, by the people and for the people.

In the interview Raila stated that Ruto is his friend and they are working together. He also listed Henry Kosgey and Kiplyana Kones as his friends in Rift Valley. Rift Valley and Nyanza MPs did meet as reported in the Standard but nobody “outrightly” asked Raila to back down for either Mr. Kalonzo Musyoka or Mr Musalia Mudavadi. MPs that were in the meeting from both sides said that did not happen. Surely, Mudavadi lost his seat miserably in 2002 and is not even an MP now, how can Raila Amolo Odinga the man from Sakwa, stand down for Mudavadi wa Mudavadi?

For Raila supporters in the US and other places outside Kenya rest assured the son of Jaramogi will be a presidential candidate and defeat Kibaki in December 2007. Don’t worry about what you read in the papers, if you want to know the reality on the ground contact a constituent. Consider the fact that Raila was the leader of campaign for Kibaki and without him, Kibaki campaign will falter. Kalonzo and Uhuru running in Kanu will be the best news for Raila. Raila beat Kanu when Kanu was in power and it will be much easier now that they are not in government.

Kenyans lets not beat the bush about tribal affiliation in politics especially presidential elections, its there to stay as racism in America. Each president we have elected became even more tribal after than before taking office. The fear created by tribal leaders is that if a Luo is elected president, after suffering for so long, the Luos will revenge for their sufferings. Some tribes in Kenya have therefore convinced each other that a Luo must be kept out of power. When Jaramogi looked like he was going to win in 1992 they brought in Matiba to break up Ford. Put another way, this thing is not about Raila, it’s about stopping a Luo from becoming president. It has cunningly been explained to the Luos that it is the Odinga’s they don’t want, Crap! The truth is if Tuju were to become a presidential material he will get the same treatment. Luos are under siege and if they have not realized it by now, they will never solve their political fate.

Raila worked very hard to put Kibaki in State House. Amolo worked harder to defeat the Kibaki referendum. Agwambo worked the hardest to put ODM-K together. It is time for the politicians around Raila to work hard, harder, and hardest for him. Now that we have seen their motives, we should ignore them and move to the presidential campaign. Raila should start campaigning against Kibaki. He should not let these tribalists define him to the people of Kenya. Raila should tell Kenyans who Raila Amolo Odinga is and what he will do for them as president. Raila should go into their homes, churches, schools and offices. He should pick tea with them in Kericho, cut sugar cane with them in Busia, herd cattle with them in Garissa, go fishing with them in Kendu Bay, go swimming with them in Malindi, and eat gidheru with them in Kiambu. Amolo Tinga is personable and once these people meet him up close and center, they will support him.

Obell Nyanja