RE: Jakom and ODM nominations

Ladies and Gentlemen "Jakom has to let the people decide" that is the word that is going the round. The belief is that Jakom has the clout to say so and so
is the deserving candidate and so and so is not. While it is true this has happened before, I think we do not have a right whatsoever to suggest that Jakom cannot endorse candidates or candidates cannot seek Jakom's endorsement. Saying so is also away of stiffling the democratic right of those candidates and Jakom himself. Even Raila has a right. Yes he does have a right to choose who he believes he can and cannot work with. Raila is not the only one doing this all over the world. In a democratic space a popular presidential candidate has the luxury of compaigning for other candidates and I strongly believe there is nothing wrong with that. Bill Clinton compaigned and is still compaigning for many because the some people believe in him. The only wrong thing is the belief in luoland that whatever Jakom believes in is gospel and that if we want a democratic election then we have to make him believe otherwise or change his mind on persons.  This belief has been culminated by some extent of violence by the unrully youths that do not understand whether what Raila believes in is what must be done and anyone doing otherwise is an enemy. The leaders endorsed by Raila have also been vocal about it and are not afraid of l;inking themselves with violence. It is time when each and everyone in luoland with the capacity to lead have the right to practice what he believes in. The only thing that I believe Jakom can do is to openly discourage violence that accompanies those that he support so that those he doesnt support can have a chance to exercise their right to compaign. It is common knowledge that any candidate contesting against those purpoted to be Raila's nominees have been subjected to alot of ridicule and violence. This is what we have to fight against or this is what Jakom must discourage. People like Sungu and the rest that have capitalised on violence must be told by Jakom to become descent leaders if they need his support.

Otieno Kajwang for example can be supported by Jakom but his supporters must not use Raila's name to intimidate other candidates. Yes Jakom can bring this to a naught by a simple public or private warning.

That being said if I were Jakom, I would not even touch local luo politics. The presidency is at stake. This is too much distraction. He will not be able to close this boiling pot forever. The pressure of discontent may let this spill overboard to other risky areas.

Barack