Raila needs his backing and biting dogs to win both the war and the battle

That Kenya unitary system of governance had some loopholes which insubordinates needs of the people is not a new call by ODM. The late leader of opposition Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Bildad Kagia, Masinde Muliro and many others used it as a basis for revolt against Kenyatta government and reintroduced opposition politics in then young independent Nation.

This were the actual seeds planted that preceded the scramble for second liberation later won in the repeal of section 2A reintroducing multiparty democracy.

Jaramogi in his famous autobiography "Not Yet Uhuru" points to the failure of state to address the plight of  poor majority and her resistance  to self overhaul in pursuit of remedy. This was the attribute of Jaramogi's resignation as Kenya's first Vice President culminating in the formation of KPU political party later outlawed by Kenyatta government.

Jaramogi points out a lack of commitment by the governance to work for the people a status he was not willing to subscribe to as generations would judge him badly.

Kenya definitely took a wrong path then, when office of governance refused to allow fair political competition. As a State, the choice to thwart divergent views by employing underhand methods was born. Moi took over and officially institutionalized this same concept with his true Nyayo philosophy whose climax had more to do with hunting and putting away political dissidents.

Moi did hunt not only from parliament as Kenyatta when the likes of Martin Shikuku, Seroney or Orengo, Chelaget Mutahi, Abuya Abuya etc found themselves detained, he went further to uproot from educational institutions as well.

The current parliamentary aspirants like Mwandaniro Mganga, Miguna Miguna and many others tasted Moi's medicine very early when they chose to speak their mind in matters of governance as students at Nairobi University.

Vestiges of such primitive undertakings is still rampant noted in current political thurgery seen with both electorates ,candidates and the government agents in Kenyan political campaigns.

One more monster that was also created by these past dysfunctional Kenyan regimes was exponential acquisition of wealth by few individuals who were willing to comply with the state. In most cases these are the few who are wealthy and able to manage Kenyan political landscape today with ill gotten gains. They have no clue what reform people are after.

They manipulate electorate population of disproportionately poor majority barely affording even a days meal. They never raised a finger against poor governance and see no need for change even today yet may win election again at the expense of those who truly engaged, understood and believed in reform agenda way back.

They may do this by exploiting the misfortunes and ignorance of the masses who have been blocked over the years from rising systematically so that status quo is maintained. This may be the biggest blow that will stop Raila in his track.

Currently all political parties are implying a platform of reform of some sort in their war for supremacy to be elected. Raila Odinga stands out in this with his history of consistent participation, sacrifice and devotion in reform movement.
 
Former Minister John Keen stated before 2002 election that it was only Raila who could say Kibaki Tosha and the masses would follow. When history of Kibaki's Presidency is written, Raila Odinga will definately belong in the first chapter.What may not belong in Kibaki's book is the actual change that Kenyan's were yarning for a reason Raila Odinga is currently leading in the opinion polls.

It is my fear that while voters may not have abandoned their quest for true change and will vote Raila as their fourth President come December election, they may fail to equip the New President with Reform minded parliamentarians.

It is important voters realize Raila will only win the battle on 15th November 2007 when ODM conducts it's primaries and choose reform minded candidates. It must not be dismissed that Raila will need some of his troops to help win the battle.

Voters ought to pay attention to politicians like Martin Shikuku, James Orengo, Tony Gachoka, Ms Charity Ngilu, Mwandaniro Mganga, Otieno Kajwang, Dr Anyang Nyongo , human rights activist Mr Miguna Miguna and many others.

These personalities may not have the financial capacity or presence tallying their peers but has the wisdom and quality IQ to bring real change Kenyans expect from Raila. These are the kind of people who will accelerate the realization of new constitution and subsequently more funding in CDF.

By Banda Nyaware (independent political observer, New York)