KIBAKI NEEDS A MIRACLE

With 2 to 3 months remaining to the Kenyan general elections, the sitting president Honorable Mwai Kibaki trails his biggest rival by 11% in the latest Steadman opinion polls. The latter has been accused in the past of being pro Kibaki when conducting the poll surveys. If these accusations are true, then the margin he is trailing Raila may actually be wider.

Could Kibaki possibly reverse this status in the next few weeks? In my opinion - unlikely, unless the hand of God works miracles in his favour or his government engages in massive rigging. The 11% margin between him and Raila translates into about 1.5 million registered voters. If 60 % of these Kenyans cast their votes, Kibaki will need to steal about 900,000 votes to win the elections. This is a humongous task even for two professional riggers like himself and his "Professor of Political and Economic Fraud", Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi.

So what options does Kibaki have?

1. A miracle? - Unlikely, certainly not from God. Not after conning a whole nation and remorselessly maintaining a thick skin like nothing ever happened and even trying to play Mr. "Nice Guy".

2. Rigging? - Maybe, but he has to be very careful not to send the country into an intifada (Arabic for bloody political uprising or rebellion for democratic rule). Not only is the mood in the country NOT favorable for this option, but the margin is far too wide.

3. Woo Kalonzo to his side? This would reduce the margin making it possible for the president's men to rig the smaller difference. A possibility, but far too complicated and no guarantee especially if Ngilu joins The Pentagon.

4. Throw in the towel and avoid humiliation at the polls? I would consider this option if I were him, especially considering the melee in PANU. The status of this conglomeration of disjointed and disordered parties with no bearing can only deteriorate in the coming weeks.

It is not rocket science to conclude that he will opt for the 3rd option. Kalonzo is on record in today's Standard that he has a big surprise for those who think they are popular, clearly referring to "The Pentagon". His recent outbursts have been attacks on his "brothers" in ODM and not Kibaki who is supposed to be the common "enemy".

The President has been quiet for 4 yrs 9 months and then with two months to the end of his term, he has the audacity to ask Kenyans to vote for him. How thick is this guy's skin? Or or how docile or obtuse could Kenyans possibly be?

I know we Kenyans are very patient intelligent people but definitely not obtuse?

My take is Kibaki, Moi, Uhuru and Kalonzo have been overtaken by events. Their lack of insight and discernment of the political mood in the country have taken the better of them. The president's options are few and let him ACCEPT DEFEAT WHEN THE TIME COMES AND NOT DRIVE THE NATION INTO CHAOS AND ANARCHY.

George Nyangweso
Minnesota, USA