Post by Kipchumba on Nov 7, 2006 21:06:36 GMT 3
First Raila captured well the history of the country from pre-colonial period. He concentrated on political reform. He asserted that tribal groupings in politics started properly so in 1992 and according to him they were joined in the Ford family by people who did not appreciate the struggle hence breaking the Party. I guess he meant Matiba. He was of the opinion that the difference between Kenyatta and his father was ideological and that is why Mboya was on one side with Kenyatta and Kaggia on the other with Jaramogi. This to me is not convincing because in essence then it means multipartism is the cause of tribal politics. I doubt if that is true. There are many examples that show that there was a group called Kiambu mafia who controlled resourced and determination of who could be what in 1960s and 70s. The fact that Mboya and the others were supporting Kenyatta cannot be a shield otherwise the presence of Awori, Koech, Kombo etc should absolve Kibaki of any tribal blemishes.
Raila as usual exhibited his oral narrative prowess by using songs and figurative language. While explaining the Genesis of their promise to deliver Constitution in 100 days, he mimicked Kibaki who apparently said “ hiyo constitution tumesoma, temeelewa na tutapitisha tuu” For those who know hoe Kibaki speaks will understand this. On Circumcision he stated that men should not be troubled about Luos, Tesos and Turkanas who do not circumcise because if there is any problem it should be for women to complain.
Someone asked him a question on why he has done nothing for Luos in Nyanza. He replied that he is MP of Lang’ata, a cosmopolitan constituency and he is not responsible for the development of Nyanza. He warned the person that he is not a tribalist. At first it sounded a great answer but as I was going home I doubted it. The chap determines the votes of nearly 700,000 people and he almost single-handedly pick their Mps. (Yawa) who is he cheating. Of course it was a public relations exercise and especially because Luos have never held him accountable.
He hinted on truth and reconciliation commission an indication that it’s a subject he will pursue if he gets elected. I felt bad when I listened to the stories of the people tortured in Nyayo chambers and especially those who never lived to tell their stories. I don’t know if he has forgiven his enemies but that was a horrible past.
His worst remarks were on the unreliability of the Nairobi stock exchange. That was a terrible mess. To say that your only source of corporate pride where all your major companies are listed, are trading on drug money is not only populist but totally irresponsible. It means the Ken Gen, Kenya Airways, EACL, EBL etc are trading on drug money. To portray NSE as a balloon is scaring to investors. I was recently asked to speak to a group of 100 students from 30 countries about my country. I inquired about the topic and they wanted me to speak about conflicts/ tribal fights in Kenya. I refused not because I believe that Kenya is clean but because the mzungu had this attitude of Africa being a dark, dead continent where fights are the order of the day. Even if I don’t agree with any ruling group, I love my country. I wanted to tell those young minds about the hope, the beauty, the intelligence and uniqueness of my people. They can open any newspaper and read about wars why I should repeat the rhetoric. In the same way I expect leaders to maintain a level of civility. We don’t have to be presidents by all means. The end is as good as the means.
The MPs who accompanied him also appeared good. But they spoiled the night by jostling for positions. Khaniri hoped that Raila will appoint him minister because they have come from far while Magara specifically asked for Ministry of Finance. Good luck but like Jesus, If I was Raila I would remind them that they do not know what they are asking.
On a different note I think there undoing of Raila will be the image he has cut as being a whistle blower and some sort of a populist. In fact one MP without thinking asked” imagine a parliament without Raila?’ It maintains that image that people have associated with Raila that he opposes. Secondly he confesses that he went to KANU to break or build. He succeeded to break. The danger here Is that he will keep an imagine of a cunning man who cannot be trusted. He hasn’t exhibited any traits of loyalty which in many cases is a sign of humility. I am still concerned about how he broke FORD-Kenya when Wamalwa defeated him. That was worst than the KANU scenario. I fear this might exactly happen in ODM-Kenya.In fact he portrays himself as though he will be doing everything. He needs to acknowledge the role of team work. If he becomes the President will he be a dictator? I don’t know.
I know that what Kenyans need is someone who will walk the talk.
We shall remain seized of these issues.
Kipchumba Arap Murkomen
Raila as usual exhibited his oral narrative prowess by using songs and figurative language. While explaining the Genesis of their promise to deliver Constitution in 100 days, he mimicked Kibaki who apparently said “ hiyo constitution tumesoma, temeelewa na tutapitisha tuu” For those who know hoe Kibaki speaks will understand this. On Circumcision he stated that men should not be troubled about Luos, Tesos and Turkanas who do not circumcise because if there is any problem it should be for women to complain.
Someone asked him a question on why he has done nothing for Luos in Nyanza. He replied that he is MP of Lang’ata, a cosmopolitan constituency and he is not responsible for the development of Nyanza. He warned the person that he is not a tribalist. At first it sounded a great answer but as I was going home I doubted it. The chap determines the votes of nearly 700,000 people and he almost single-handedly pick their Mps. (Yawa) who is he cheating. Of course it was a public relations exercise and especially because Luos have never held him accountable.
He hinted on truth and reconciliation commission an indication that it’s a subject he will pursue if he gets elected. I felt bad when I listened to the stories of the people tortured in Nyayo chambers and especially those who never lived to tell their stories. I don’t know if he has forgiven his enemies but that was a horrible past.
His worst remarks were on the unreliability of the Nairobi stock exchange. That was a terrible mess. To say that your only source of corporate pride where all your major companies are listed, are trading on drug money is not only populist but totally irresponsible. It means the Ken Gen, Kenya Airways, EACL, EBL etc are trading on drug money. To portray NSE as a balloon is scaring to investors. I was recently asked to speak to a group of 100 students from 30 countries about my country. I inquired about the topic and they wanted me to speak about conflicts/ tribal fights in Kenya. I refused not because I believe that Kenya is clean but because the mzungu had this attitude of Africa being a dark, dead continent where fights are the order of the day. Even if I don’t agree with any ruling group, I love my country. I wanted to tell those young minds about the hope, the beauty, the intelligence and uniqueness of my people. They can open any newspaper and read about wars why I should repeat the rhetoric. In the same way I expect leaders to maintain a level of civility. We don’t have to be presidents by all means. The end is as good as the means.
The MPs who accompanied him also appeared good. But they spoiled the night by jostling for positions. Khaniri hoped that Raila will appoint him minister because they have come from far while Magara specifically asked for Ministry of Finance. Good luck but like Jesus, If I was Raila I would remind them that they do not know what they are asking.
On a different note I think there undoing of Raila will be the image he has cut as being a whistle blower and some sort of a populist. In fact one MP without thinking asked” imagine a parliament without Raila?’ It maintains that image that people have associated with Raila that he opposes. Secondly he confesses that he went to KANU to break or build. He succeeded to break. The danger here Is that he will keep an imagine of a cunning man who cannot be trusted. He hasn’t exhibited any traits of loyalty which in many cases is a sign of humility. I am still concerned about how he broke FORD-Kenya when Wamalwa defeated him. That was worst than the KANU scenario. I fear this might exactly happen in ODM-Kenya.In fact he portrays himself as though he will be doing everything. He needs to acknowledge the role of team work. If he becomes the President will he be a dictator? I don’t know.
I know that what Kenyans need is someone who will walk the talk.
We shall remain seized of these issues.
Kipchumba Arap Murkomen