It’s July 2012 and almost two years to the day our new constitution was promulgated. A constitution that bear the our collective dream and which has been on the making for close to 20 years. A constitution that will finally give Kenyans a real opportunity for growth both personally and collectively.
A constitution that will arrests the imperial presidency giving the Judiciary and legislature powers to govern itself without undue influence from the executive. A constitution that has widened the bill of rights and enabled development from the grassroots up through devolution. A constitution that finally puts governments day to day running in the hands of capable and learned Kenyans rather than a political reward to sycophancy. This great constitution is under attack by the lords of impunity as we have all witnessed recently and are intent on ensuring that on the least it is mutilated to its bare bones.
It is on this premise that i asked myself these critical questions, who among our presidential candidates is fit enough for my vote? Which candidate has shown the will and desire to protect and ensure the full implementation of the constitution? Which candidate has risked losing all for Kenya to win?
I have concluded that Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga is the best among the list of contestants for President and below are my 3 reasons.
1. Reformer per Excellence
We all blame former President Moi for the malaise that our country suffers from. He not only exercised his presidency brutally but oversaw shepherded and nurtured corruption to maturity. As a result our development stunted and Kenyans became poorer.
Raila Amolo Odinga unlike many other Kenyans did not sit and watch but decided to take matters into his own hands and continuously agitated for reforms and re-introduction of multi-party politics. President Moi not only detained and jailed but thoroughly tortured Raila Odinga. We today enjoy our democracy but we should not forget to thank Kenyans like Raila Odinga for agitating and fighting for these rights when no one dared.
I keep asking myself where were William Ruto, Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka and Uhuru Kenyatta those days. Wasn't Mr. Ruto a key member of the notorious YK 92? Wasn't YK 92 responsible for the printing of millions of fake Kes 500 currencies that plunged our country into recession? Wasn't Mudavadi a key member of the Moi government that was responsible for quashing and clamping of multi-party advocates? Wasn't Mr. Kenyatta parachuted from nowhere and made a project of the same Mr. Moi that we all lament about?
Can we therefore expect Messers. Ruto, Mudavadi and Kenyatta to ensure a full implementation of our new constitution once elected as president? Their track record tells me otherwise hence my choice of Raila Odinga.
2. Coalition Government Partner
How has Mr. Raila Odinga as Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya executed the functions of his office? As a partner in the Coalition government, i kept asking myself, has he displayed the character and decorum of a statesman?
President Kibaki during the negotiations for the coalition government came out as a non-compromising person with the aim of resisting power sharing at all costs. Raila Odinga on the other hand was egged on by hawks within his party not to compromise and fight for his equal share of government.
To Raila Odinga's credit, he read the mood of the country perfectly and noted that Kenyans were tired of waiting and were keen on a quick resolution to the stand off. On the other hand President Kibaki refused to share Key ministries e.g. Finance, Internal Security, Foreign Affairs, Defence etc.
Raila Odinga could have also played hard ball with the president and demanded for his equal share but he did not, He accepted to compromise and left Sagana state lodge without any of the plum ministries.
On that day, Raila Odinga compromised on behalf of Kenyans and that was a sign of a statesman.
When President Kibaki unilaterally and unconstitutionally appointed a new Chief Justice, AG and Director of Public Prosecution, Mr. Odinga rose on behalf of Kenyans and blocked the appointments. He protected our constitution from mutilation and ensured a worthy Supreme Court was appointed.
3. Mau
Mau Forest is the largest water catchment area in Kenya. Numerous rivers originate from the forest, including Southern Ewaso Ng'iro, Sondu River, Mara River and Njoro River which feed Lake Victoria, Lake Nakuru and Lake Natron. Not only does the forest have the highest rainfall rates in Kenya but its survival has a direct consequence to our livelihood.
I asked myself why did Mr. Odinga take the Mau restoration project while he will not only offend but alienate the Kalenjin Community. Was Mau such an important issue for Raila Odinga to risk the wrath of the Kalenjin? When i read more and more on the importance of Mau Forest to the livelihood of this country made me appreciate the effort of Prime Minister Odinga. It must have dawned on him that the Kenya we will leave for our grandchildren was more important for him than political immediate expediency.
Raila Odinga is known to be the master of reading the political game and we cannot say that he didn’t realise the repercussions of his actions against the Kalenjin.
In other words, Raila Odinga took the bullet for the benefit of this country at a time when doing otherwise would have been more beneficial to him personally. Hero.
@omarym on twitter
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