re: Shame on Peter Anyang' Nyong'o !

sent by: Patrick Yimbo

Nyongo: Writer undermined my role in liberation struggle

Publication Date: 9/19/2007

It may be trendy among some Kenyan politicians to belittle my role in Kenya politics as a 'Raila follower.'

But from journalists such as Macharia Gaitho (DN September 14, 2007), we expect more objective comment.

Mr Gaitho defends the betrayal of the Opposition by Uhuru Kenyatta by referring to me as somebody who did a similar thing in the 2002 election in relation to Raila.

This allegation against me flies in the face of well-known facts, and it is unbecoming of a seasoned political journalist, who is supposed to know recent history much better, to resort to falsifying the record.

Mr Gaitho should know that I did NOT ditch my political party to join Raila in 2002.

Both Raila and I, from our different parties, joined Narc. There was no betrayal of principles involved here.

On the other hand, Mr Gaitho himself accepts that Uhuru's move is purely opportunistic.

But as a commentator who is supposed to be committed to principles rather than expediency, Mr Gaitho finds absolutely no problem with Uhuru's action, which betrays a cardinal principle at the heart of democratic practice: the constitutional role of the Leader of the Opposition.

My relationship with Raila Odinga can in no way be compared with Uhuru's relationship with Kibaki.

Raila and I have been in the struggle together since the 70s.

We both suffered political persecution under presidents Kenyatta and Moi.

As Young Turks, we were key to the formation of Ford and Ford Kenya - -  the two political parties that shepherded the Second Liberation under Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

In 1996, the two of us disagreed on matters of principle within Ford-K and formed two different parties, the SDP and NDP.

When we were in the Kibaki Government in 2003-2005, both of us fought very hard for the Bomas Draft Constitution and against corruption.

President Kibaki betrayed us on both issues and ended up expelling us from his Cabinet.

The formation of the ODM, in which we are now key players, was not a Raila Odinga or an Anyang' Nyongo' affair.

It was a team affair involving all the ODM leaders as presently constituted.

Let me make it clear that I would accept Raila's leadership more readily than I would that of either Uhuru or Kibaki, based purely on the contribution of Raila to democratic change and socio-economic progress in Kenya.

In the same manner, Raila would equally accept my leadership in the fight against corruption when both Kibaki and Uhuru would readily exclude me from their cabinets.



ANYANG' NYONG'O,

MP, Kisumu Rural.