Combating Usual Anti-Raila Rants in Kenyan Forum

Occasionally, I find it befitting to post on my blog comments and things I encounter in other social media in this case some exchanges I had with one or two usual anti-Railaists who I refer to as Neter I and Netter II:

Netter I:

Kieleweke were chased from State house the other day, Uhuru is slowly but surely regaining his senses, now he should focus on the economy

we know raila wanted a referendum to put this country into an election mood not caring how dead the economy is, ameshindwa, soon he will reject the BBI, anyone willing to bet?

My response:

Yours can only be termed as wishful thinking. Kieleweke is as solid as never before and Uhuru is as determined as never before to make sure the handshake is firm and implemented as proposed in BBI. Yes, the very document entrenching the interests of “dynasties” who many of you have been telling us “must fall.”

They’re not only NOT falling, BBI ensures they’ll never fall and none other than Ruto wants counted in and thus the reason he’s mum about BBI doing only what Uhuru and Raila tell him to do lest he’s NOT welcome to the “dynasties” club.

If you didn’t know Kenya ina wenyewe, now you know. I read a very poignant tweet from someone saying Kenyans are so gullible and even stupid they blindly cheer on politicians who only know one thing, taking care of their own interests everyone else be damned yet these very shafted voters throng fields, stadiums and even Bomas to cheer these same people who don’t care much about them.

I see that here and elsewhere which is sad.

Kenya will be a better country when people stop seeing things only from their tribal cocoons or become open minded to know what’s good for the country and not what is good or bad for some real or perceived enemies, which is a very backward phenomenon.

Netter II: BBI was a waste of money. Uhuru aimed at taming Raila/ODM. Now his ninis are barking loud and clear against BBI. They are crying foul because they wanted a parliamentary system which would favor Agwambo. Now there is no Tsunami but war cries. Soon you will see war cries even on this forum.

My response:

If I were you, I would not chest-thump that Raila did not get what he wanted in BBI. We are only at the opening to the public debate stage. Next, referendum question or questions will be drafted to mould the final question or questions in a manner to fully implement the handshake.

I am on record saying I don’t believe a pure parliamentary system can work in Kenya but I am also here to tell you what emerges out of the referendum will NOT be the SAME thing proposed in BBI. I can tell you but won’t why these steps are being taken like this.

Bottom line, speaking for myself, I am very pleased and appreciate Uhuru’s effort to make sure the vision in his handshake with Raila is fully implemented and with BBI out, we’re one step closer to that eventuality.

Netter II:

It will be better to wait and see what will befall ODM. It is standing on wishful thinking that Uhuru will abandon Ruto, get Mt. Kenya support Raila and so wins. If Uhuru is capable of doing that the way Rao can do to votes in his backyard, Raila can win. But dont know where they get the impression that Uhuru will be campaigning for Agwambo or that Mt. Kenya will listen to Uhuru and follow him where he wants to take them.

I am happy to see you accept BBI report and avoid exhibiting anger and despondent the way Senator Olekina and Atwoli have done. I also support BBI 100%. Let us see if ODM will embrace is 100%. That is their baby.

https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/article/2001351229/narok-senator-rejects-bbi-for-giving-president-too-much-power

My response:

Your problem is you believe Central is Kenya.

It is NOT.

Raila has won the presidency at least twice without Central support.

He’ll win in a landslide in 2022 with Uhuru and other key Central support.

Btw, and for the record, in 2022, I’ll be supporting whoever the system supports and right now I have good reasons to believe that will be Raila–but also know if for some reason it’s not, he’ll be fully accommodated in the new structure and that was one of my points in my last weekend’s column.

In other words, the dynasties will continue to dominate Kenyan politics and none other than one William Ruto is banging hard on the door to be let in but, unfortunately for him, he can only be let in to eat crumps by the dining table where the main feasting is about to take place.

Or put another way, your man Ruto will not see the inside of State House as president not because I wish or say so, but because the system says so and this I confirmed during my recent visit, not that it’s a secret.

Good to see all of you are focused on the shiny object here (BBI) when those who will decide your president and the future of the country are laughing over drinks, tossing to the malleability of the ever so gullible Kenyan voter, educated or not. Maajabu kweli.

Netter II:

I am “chest thumping” over what they proposed. If they change to something deviating from this document, believe me I will oppose it with my heart. What you can take from me is that whatever Nyongo and for that matter ODM ODM wanted would have seen even Uhuru object to the document.

I 0nly see ODM supporters cry. We are happy with what we are saying. Please allow us us to cheat thump and celebrate for a job well done by BBI.

Any reason ODM refused to speak on the floor in Bomas but now find it objectionable?

I have an answer. They wanted BBI team to craft a document favorable to Raila. Now that didnt happen, they know that winning the presidency will be one hell of difficult task. They would not be crying now because what they wanted is not what Kenyans wanted.

Raila will lose and violence will recur. BBI didnt address that. Atwoli and co think violence would have been curtailed if Raila got a powerful PM posts and several seats for his cronies. So problem is Raila not the constitution.

My response:

Your say, “They wanted BBI team to craft a document favorable to Raila.”

Your obsession as well as others obsession with Raila is unhealthy pls rid yourself of same.

Neither the handshake or BBI is about Raila. I doubt you’ve read it and if that’s the case, pls Google and read the communique conveying the BBI mandate as well as the Gazette notice putting the idea in motion and you’ll understand what BBI is designed to do as it shall.

You and others we know are caught in this “oh it’s about getting Raila to power through the backdoor” as if the man is not capable of getting the presidency through the front door as he has done at least twice–and something we know your’e in TOTAL denial.

Fortunately, some of the key people starting from Uhuru himself who know what happened have changed tune leaving the rest of you still in lalaland believing “Raila will Never be president” which is also a very unhealthy obsession.

Notice when I say Ruto ain’t seeing the inside of State House as president I am only conveying what I know to be the reality from information that’s both public and private.

I have nothing against Ruto’s ambitions to become president and if he beats the system and Raila to win the presidency, I’ll be the first one to congratulate him and offer my help and you’ll see me at State House with a delegation from the US and EU to personally congratulate him and map the way forward for the country with the help of our friends.

I’ll do the same thing for Raila or WHOEVER wins and is sworn as our next president.

So, you ans others can obsess about BBI being about Raila, the rest of us are more focused on what matters to effectuate the handshake and its principals’ vision for a new Kenya.

That’s all that matters and we’re on track to see the fruits from these efforts which only just began with the official launch of BBI.

Netter II:

If it is not for Raila, why are you and others refusing to embrace the BBI report? I only see anger from you and other ODMERS because BBI rejected to propose the system which would have favored Rao.

Let us think of Kenya as a country and remove individuals from it. If Raila wins in 22, I will support 100%. Will you support Ruto if he wins? This is what we want Raila to do. Accept defeat and retire with benefit. I will support his retirement with full benefit.

My response:

You know this but let me say it for the sake of clarity: Never lump me with anyone else when engaging with me. I am my own man. The views I share are mine and need not check or have them comply with anyone else.

Unless your’e hard of hearing, I have said repeatedly I couldn’t care less as to what government system is in place at any given time; in fact, I was quite happy and perfectly willing to maintain the post independence imperial presidency if only we had a human being with compassion for the poor and the masses holding the office.

This debate about parliamentary vz presidential system is nothing but a tribalism and emotionally driven debate which I and others who are not tribal despise and wouldn’t engage in. For progressives like me, all we ever want and ask for is a government that is transparent, accountable and responsive to the common mwanainchi’s needs and one that creates a conducive climate for peace and economic prosperity.

So, NO I am NOT and CANNOT be angry over a document that has NOT even become law; indeed, were it to be passed verbatim on the governance provisions, I’ll be ALL for it and work within the system to do what I know needs and must be done to make this a better Kenya.

All this other nonsense about whether Raila or Ruto is president is a sideshow. Yes, I have repeatedly made the case Raila has been and continues to be a bonafide leader who has won the presidency at least twice and deserves to serve as our president upon yet again winning the presidency, which he can.

But that by no means elevate Raila above country; no one is or should be as clearly many of you make him be the everything: country be dammed as long as Raila is not president which is bizarre to say the least.

If Ruto beats Raila fair and squire, fine; he would have faught a good fight and am sure Raila will concede defeat. If Ruto wins by yet again the system rigging out Raila, that’ll be your country, not ours and it won’t be one anyone would want to live in or visit.

Fortunately, and as much you may prefer that type of environment, the rest of us are saying let’s fix the system so can have normal elections every 5 years or 7 years as the case maybe without violence, bloodshed, destruction of property and deaths.

We’re also in the super majority those who hold this view and we shall prevail over the rest who are clinging to the past where inclusiveness, transparency and openness in elections or even peace are irrelevant and undesirable as long as Raila is not in office as president.

Very backward if you ask me but, again, a view held by a dwindling number which shall soon be rendered completely irrelevant.

 

 

 

 

 

Correcting Misconception About BBI and Its Status

It has been fascinating to see the reactions from even some Kenyans I thought were following this BBI launch more closely and the ignorance or lack of correct information they have demonstrated in their various comments.

One common error I am noticing even from people I would think know better–at least in social media is the belief and people acting as if the BBI report is a done deal only waiting to be voted up in parliament to become law.

Reality is, we’re far from BBI becoming law.

First, there are several proposals in the report that need not even parliament action to implement as the president can effect those changes or new policies utilizing current executive powers.

Second, there are several provisions or proposals in the report that would require parliamentary action and the president’s assent to become law under the normal law making process and those will be handled and proceed accordingly.

However, when it comes to restructuring the government as proposed in the BBI report, that requires a referendum, not just a vote in parliament.

Article 255 of the Constitution provides as follows:

(1) A proposed amendment to this Constitution shall be enacted in accordance with Article 256 or 257, and approved in accordance with clause (2) by a referendum, if the amendment relates to any of the following matters–

(a) the supremacy of this Constitution; (b) the territory of Kenya; (c) the sovereignty of the people; (d) the national values and principles of governance referred to in Article 10 (2) (a) to (d); (e) the Bill of Rights; (f) the term of office of the President; (g) the independence of the Judiciary and the commissions and independent offices to which Chapter Fifteen applies; (h) the functions of Parliament; (i) the objects, principles and structure of devolved government; or (j) the provisions of this Chapter.

Changing the Constitution via the parliament option requires a referendum if the change “relates to” any of the topics listed in Article 255(1) (see above). Although many of these topics are not relevant in this context, meaning, pursuing BBI implementation via a referendum, one or two can no doubt be argued to be relevant.

For example, an argument can be made that changing the democratic system and how the head of government is elected “relates to” democracy — a national value. A change “related to” a national value needs a referendum therefore.

Although I can see a legal case or scenario where a referendum can be avoided to still put into effect what BBI proposes, that would require some serious juggling of the pieces and things lining up so perfectly it’s safe to say the better route under current circumstances, is to put into effect those changes via a referendum.

To get there, the constitution lays out what needs to happen next, which can be a people initiated referendum, or one initiated by parliament. I can’t say for sure as things stand today which direction Uhuru and Raila will go with this; if the objections raised thus far by some in opposition camp can be accommodated and have a referendum bill passed by 2/3 of both houses, then IEBC will conduct a referendum within 90 days of passage for a yes or no public vote on the bill.

If there are not enough votes in Parliament to initiate the bill as modified to make BBI better, then the only other route will be a popular initiative signed by at least one million registered voters and the rest will go as per the rules established in the constitution, much as we had the 2010 passage and promulgation of the new constitution.

So, those celebrating that BBI is in as is you better hold off your horses you may be in for a big surprise when it’s all said and done, BBI won’t be what you think or assume it is.

Conversely, those not too happy with BBI as proposed, especially on the question of government structure, you, too, hold your horses for if there are changes to be made in the proposed structure, I doubt they’ll go all the way to a pure parliamentary system Raila and others said they prefer.

In fact, I can state categorically without any fear of contradiction a pure parliamentary system will NOT be proposed, let alone pass a referendum vote, even if proposed.

Rather, we’ll have more refining and redefining of the hybrid parliamentary/presidential system currently proposed in the BBI report to make the presidency not as dominant or as imperialistic as proposed while giving the Prime Minister office some autonomy and independence, answerable only to the people through their representatives in parliament.

The president can perform perfunctory duties relative to the appointment of the PM but that should be about it.

All that being said, and unfortunately so, how we move forward from here all depends on President Uhuru Kenyatta’s goodwill and those closest to him, working or at least making sure the handshake objectives are intact and remain firm throughout the process. That happens, we have a new Kenya for sure.

It doesn’t, well the same old ugliness, hatred and division shall continue.

As a progressive, I can only hope and pray for the former and am fairly optimistic that’s what we have in the offing going by what has transpired thus far.

God help us!

 

 

BBI is Made Public; Now What? Part II

Uhuru, Raila and Ruto at Bomas to launch BBI implementation

The delay in launching BBI Report has had the precise effect Uhuru and Raila had in mind, given the hostility the report faced even before those running their mouths against it knew what was in it. That’s the very definition of madness or the height of stupidity but that’s neither here nor there.

What’s here is we now have the report and, as usual, only but a few of us have actually read the full document and know what’s in it while the vast majority, including those busy commenting about it have NOT read the document, or even parts of it choosing instead to regurgitate what they’re hearing from those aligned with them (meaning their tribal leaders and talking heads) but not much in terms of their original thinking.

This is a curse not just in Kenyan politics but virtually every country and why it’s hopeless and a mis-normer to talk about “people driven” politics when these “people” are nothing but blind followers of their usually tribal leaders and they would never see anything good for them or their country if it hit their faces but will always buy hook, line and sinker what their tribal and ethnic politicians they blindly follow tell them.

One of the netters I regularly engage for the sake of others said this in response to my earlier exchange with him:

One thing I cannot take away from you is hope. I don’t want to give my opinion because I will be attacked by supporters of nanii. In my opinion, this BBI will do little in changing the voting system. Yani, nothing has changed. It will be as if BBI was not there. It oy helped politicians get more carrots to dangle.

My response:

Your’e not God to give or take away hope so leave that line of thought out of this and let’s engage strictly on politics.

It’s not true, of course, that BBI changes nothing unless you wish to continue to live in denial. Reestablishing the PM position, shifting more resources to counties (though not reducing them as some of us urged), reconstituting IEBC and getting rid of the rot there are all consequential changes but one thing that remains stable and this is ALL that matters, is the system is intact to protect Uhuru’s interests, less so Raila’s and Ruto as an afterthought, if at all.

Someone only a few people would know or recognize but nonetheless very influential in his own right sent me a message on WhatsApp and we find ourselves in agreement as to the nature of what’s unfolding and how it should continue to unfold even though he’s–not exactly a Raila hater but let’s just say one who doesn’t like him.

Our view is if Moraa is content with power sharing deals at the top without caring whether her interests are catered to, then it’s pointless to waste time catering to her let’s all cater to the interests at the top and hope there emerges a leader or two who someday will look to Moraa’s interests.

Meaning, the focus now is BBI full implementation and sealing deals for power sharing through elections which shall be a formality and that’s not a bad thing either.

You can continue with your tribal arithmetic all you can all I am saying is that’s not my focus, never has been and never will.

However, getting to understand and know how 2022 (2021) will be predetermined and enabling that is my focus and am happy to be involved in that regard.

That was my point from earlier.

 

 

BBI Is Made Public; Now What? Part I

Uhuru, Raila and Ruto at Bomas to launch BBI implementation

I will share my oped this weekend what my thoughts are about BBI, which should be no secret to those who have followed what I have penned previously on this subject. For now, I thought I share here what I have elsewhere in Kenya social media for those who haven’t seen it for what it’s worth.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2019-11-27-ruto-raila-on-the-side-of-peace-back-bbi/

This is precisely one of the options I posited in my weekend column and must say it’s a step in the right direction with the outcome being a way being found to accommodate Raila and Ruto in the next government.

I note with sadness voters won’t be a factor in that equation as at least presidential elections will continue to be predetermined, even after full BBI implementation. In sum, BBI with its flaws is the best we have next to nothing but old status quo.

The new status quo has some opportunities to tilt the trajectory of the country toward the right direction and that’s a good thing so, reluctantly, it’s thumbs up to full BBI implementation.

However, I am also laughing because out of ignorance, the very voters who continue to be rendered irrelevant and shafted in the sharing of political power are cheering on the craftmanship of Uhuru, Raila and Ruto whose personal interests are well taken care of while those of Moraa are largely ignored.

It’s something to laugh at but deeply saddening as well this level of ignorance and how many more decades before people–yes, including those educated beyond high school to see how their understanding of politics and government is constrained by both ignorance and seeing things from a tribal prism which shall always be limiting and rendering them not a free people.

Rather, keeping them as slaves of the politicians who exploit their ignorance to get what they (the politicians) want and not what’s good for them.

I said BBI should never have been about Uhuru, Raila or Ruto because I and others were pushing for certain reforms we now need not because of the ignorance alluded to above but will now push and champion this to be Ururu/Raila and Ruto affair.

The next government will feature all 3 men and prominently so, which means they’ll be the ones laughing last as the ignorant tribalist voter is once again left with an empty bag.

A netter responded:

Can you explain how the BBI will lead to a different voting pattern? How will the three (Uhuru will only feature in campaigns) be accommodated except with the loser becoming the official leader of the opposition?

Other than post of PM which will go to the majority party, are the cabinet posts still limited to 22? The fight will initial be on the running mate so that will influence the voting pattern. I think also smaller parties will try to fight it out hoping to be incorporated in the Govt on a post election coalition.

My response:

No I will not explain that. My point is 2022 will be determined in 2021 with full implementation of BBI. Indeed, the correct year for elections is 2021 and that will be tackled soon but be as it may, the presidential elections will be predetermined and that’s the good news in this for it won’t be Raila or his supporters who’ll be the victim.

Uhuru continues to mature and perfect the game of politics in Kenya when it’s all said and done, he will be way ahead of his father, Moi and Kibaki combined.

Thoroughly enjoying this.

 

 

Baba Congratulates Amran Okoth, So Do We

ODM leader Raila Odinga has congratulated Imran Okoth for being elected as Kibra MP and, of course, we all join in congratulating Okoth.

Congratulations to Baba, too, for pulling this one off as the never stopping to even breath political enemies and naysayers were ready to declare him politically finished were Okoth to somehow not be the declared winner.

Indeed, it is sweet victory and how befitting that Baba has dashed the hopes of those who have been scheming and plotting to defeat and embarrass him!

That being said, it’s not lost on us this was victory at a major skirmish but even bigger battle rages ahead in BBI implementation and, of course, 2022, which shall be the crowning of all Raila victories.

The mother of all victories, that is.

And we’re here to help the president and you achieve this objective and by “we” I mean the majority of Kenyans that believe in the handshake and ultimate implementation of BBI and are ready to do their part in making sure that happens.

 

Panic Among Some In Central As Population Shrinks and Thus Reducing Political Clout and Dominance

The Former Central Province Counties

In Shifting Census Numbers To Upset Political Ground the Standard reports on a trend emerging such that the former Central province will no longer have the so-called tyranny of numbers. This trend has caused panic among many but, as I posit below, it shouldn’t worry the rest of us for the reasons I also posit here.

It’s always fascinating to me how Kenya politics mirror US in so many way, including this one: guess who’s in the panic and we’re already seeing the effect here in the US? Yes, white people! This is because it’s predicted they will be in the minority by 2050!

WE are going to be the majority, meaning us non-whites!! However, it’s more accurate to say only racist whites and like minded are bothered by this, namely, caucasians no longer being in the majority, the rest of non-whites are not because they don’t believe in the white supremacy nonsense.

Rather, they believe and hold as true the universal belief among good people we’re all equal in the eyes of God.

Same thing in Kenya; we never used to hear or think about this panic in the former Central province until now when politicians (not the people) from the region have realized the region is shrinking in numbers so they’re are all gang-ho to defeat BBI mistakenly believing that’s the only way to preserve their dominance of politics and presidential elections.

Fortunately, a good portion of the political leadership, starting from the president himself has moved past this tribal thinking and wants us all to have a one Kenya where neither tribe nor negative ethnicity has any place in controling our politics and sharing of national resources, just as most whites in America don’t care and are unconcerned that some day they will be in the minority for they believe racism should play no role in American politics–and that goes both ways.

In other words, whites cannot suddenly become the objects of racism simply because their numeric numbers are reduced to a minority.

The color of our skin or tribal alienage should not and must not dictate who we are and what we believe is right for all of us a nation.

I have read the above linked article carefully and have seen a couple of nuggets in it I’ll develop and pen a future column, which has to do with something we already know and are counting on as part of the existing strategy to implement BBI.

 

Bringing Tribalism Down and Other Takes on Uhuru and Raila Efforts to Bring Central Aboard BBI Train

Uhuru (l) and Raila (r) at a past event

Like racism in America, tribalism will always be with us in Kenya; it’s just how it impacts elections that we’re focused as a laser to cut back significantly and I am confident this time around we’ll be where America was in 2008 when they elected a black man in the country’s history–and probably the only one for quite sometime to come because white domination is real, even among non-racists.

In the same vein, 2022 will see a non-Kikuyu, non-Kalenjin elected as president and the odds on that are Raila.

The election of Raila but this time being sworn as president will crush tribalism but permanently so in our case–but that’s not to say it’ll still not simmer and perhaps re-emerge down the road, much as racism has started to rear its ugly head in America thanks to its chief enablers in the high office.

That being said, let me address your specific false allegation you have made in your post:

[I am in this blog responding to the same netter I usually engage and respond to because he raises arguments, phony as they maybe at times, that others would raise and so my decision to post them here for a wider audience than where they initially appear]

You say, “Problem with your team is that you assume Uhuru will support Raila and that  Kikuyus will be united in supporting whatever Uhuru tells them.”

False in your second part, but true in the first part. We know hatred of Raila in some parts of Central is deep and is going to take some heavy lifting on the part of Uhuru to bring a good segment of it to Raila column.

The rest, we’re not writing off but strategically speaking we know we can exclude them in factoring the equations for where we’ll need to be in terms of 50%+1.

Remember, Raila has won at least 2 times, or at least once if you exclude 2013 which no one won but he did so with less than 15% of the vote from Central.

So, the only task ahead is for Uhuru to deliver a respectable portion of the Central electorate and we’re good to go.

That we know he’ll do and you can take that to the bank and cash it, if you care to. I know you don’t as you’d rather stick with what you believe, which is fine.

To be fair, given our country’s history with political deal, I would admit I was one who was urging caution in  wholly embracing the handshake because I believed it could be a trap for Raila.

I created a 5-box matrix scale to measure the authenticity and viability of the handshake and as previously blogged, 3 of those items have thus far checked out with 2 remaining which depend on each other.

One happens, we’re home.

That’s what I am watching for and sooner than later it shall come to pass as to what the entry would be, one way or the other.

The converse, of course, is also possible, which means not exactly a loss or even toss-up as to prospects, but advantage Raila.

You say, “Kikuyu can vote for Raila but it will take more than UK.” Wrong. This assertion is simply a version of disrespect for Uhuru but I am happy to say he’ll shock you all.

The worst competitor in any game, is one disrespected for he or she will teach you a lesson when you least expected and busy counting chickens before they hatch, which is basically your leader is doing ditto the rest of Tangatanga, ati Uhuru hatawashinda.

You’ll all see.

You say, “He must bring everybody on board and work on providing evidence that he will do better than Ruto.” I assume by “He,” you mean Raila but that obviously ignores the fact BOTH Uhuru and Raila are ALREADY working to bring everyone on board and NO, they don’t need to make the case why Raila will be better than Ruto for it is enough we don’t need another Kalenjin president as of mothers from the rest of the communities that sire children haven’t sired a child to be president besides the two communities.

That, folks, is what’s at the core of this and the reason we have the handshake and BBI to implement it.

Let’s not fool ourselves, or pretend that it is not.

You say, “Right now only Mwangi Paul is in ODM and yet I keep on hearing that Kikuyus will vote for ODM.”

Again, you’re looking at things from a tribal prism and what I’ll keep telling you and others is we’re moving the country past that. Many of us have always been there, but we now bring the rest of the country; or at least, a good majority of the country where who you vote for doesn’t count on what tribe you belong.

As a Kisii, I am proud my community as is the case with a few others has always divided its vote and not blindly voting as a black as is the case with many other tribes and this is the model we must apply for the rest of the country.

To be sure, and the reason I am specifically saying I am Kisii, is no one is as naïve as to suggest that we abandon our heritage for the sake of eradicating tribalism; far from it.

We can end tribalism while at the same time preserving our heritages and ethnicity, which is exactly what the handshake and BBI are designed to do.

That being said, the elections of 202 (or 2021) will be won not by ODM, or Jubilee or whatever; rather, the elections will be won by the spirit and a new alliance in the making. That’s all that matters, not individuals, or individual parties.

You can stick with your belief “No Kikuyu will vote for ODM” all you wish, and to that all I can tell you we know even in the past, more than 10% of Kikuyus voted for Raila (CORD and NASA) against all odds so you can’t come from there to ZERO Kikuyus not voting for Raila. That will be going backwards and that we ain’t doing, not when we have the handshake and BBI.

You say, “Also, Kalonzo needs to be courted for Kamba to support Raila again.” Let me just say Raila knows how to get votes and will not be needing advise from you or anyone else besides his team on how to do that.

You say, “ODM peed on their votes when they grabbed all political funds and forgot that Raila got those votes from them too.” This is just a false allegation or ill-informed at best.

No need to go into the weeds on this but let me just inform you and others that ODM has not “grabbed” political funds.

NASA never set a formula to share political funds by its constituent members so each member must look to funds as provided under the Political Parties Act, which gives ODM the upper hand in deciding on how the funds will be shared.

That process is ongoing and no decision has been made to that effect but that doesn’t mean that ODM has “grabbed” the funds.

In due time, the matter will be resolved and I am sure it’s part of ongoing negotiations for new alliances.

You say, “Raila is a very short sighted politician.” False.

You cannot find a more far-seeing politician alive in Kenya today than one Raila Amolo Odinga.

Like father, like son.

Someone once said of Jaramogi he was like a giraffe as he saw far.

Raila has followed suit and not surprisingly so.

You say, “He only thinks only of today does not look at the future.” Again, FALSE.

Read again what I have just said above.

You say, “He has done to MM, Weta, Kalonzo and others what he did to Ruto in 2008.”

And what is that?

You say, “Very good, excellent wasting votes.” It’ll be redundant to say false, so, let me just say not true.

At all.

 

The Venerable Charles Njonjo’s Gift to Uhuru in 2002 and Its Historic Meaning Then and Now

Always humbled to know former AG Charles Njonjo or “Sir Charles” as he’s iconically referred to is one of those notables who follow and read my blog or column.

Indeed, some many years ago when I started penning the column, I was informed by the Star the former AG’s personal office staff had made an inquiry in his behalf as to my contact information and noted he was interested in meeting with yours truly.

Although he thought I was in Kenya, he was informed I am based in the US and in time, a meeting was arranged and I met him in Nairobi on my next trip there.

From first lunch meeting at Nairobi Club and others that would follow since, all I can say is the man is every bit the iconic and historic figure we have always known him to be. It is an honor and privilege to know him I just hope he would have agreed for yours truly to pen his memoirs but this is something he has resisted over the decades and it’s doubtful he would change his mind about it now.

When you hear the expression “if walls can talk,” well, this is one “wall” if it talks we would know a whole lot more about the Jomo Kenyatta and early Moi era than we now know and will completely come to understand why things happened the way they did.

We will also come to more fully understand why Mzee Njonjo decided to support Raila in his presidential quest against Uhuru’s bid.

Kenyans.co.ke tells a story about a symbolic gift Njonjo gave to Uhuru back in 2002 when Uhuru was trying to be president for the first time, in-experienced as he was and virtually against everyone’s expectation other than Moi who was fronting him.

According to the story, the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s close aide Duncan Ndegwa, in his memoir Walking in Kenyatta’s Struggle, narrated that on the day that the embattled Uhuru was commemorating the 24th anniversary of his father’s demise during the 2002 presidential campaign, Kenyatta’s trusted aide Charles Njonjo came to him with an unlikely gift.

It was a cap Kenyatta senior used to wear matching Jaramogi’s in the early years of their friendship but took it off and never to wear it again after the acrimonious fall-out between the two.

Ndegwa stated that there was a general surprise amongst some individuals present at the commemoration who were old enough to recognize the cap since it had not been seen in public for 36 straight years since Kenyatta had taken it off.

The reason for why Njonjo gave Uhuru the cap, it is believed, was a call it was time to build bridges between Uhuru and then rebel Raila Odinga to rekindle the relationship that their fathers had and lost.

That never really happened back then (2002) but it has certainly happened and still happening now following the handshake that took place on March 9, 2018.

We appreciate people like Sir Charles Njonjo from Central Kenya who have long known, and others will soon know the only way forward with a one and united Kenya, is to bury the past woes and open a new book of togetherness and love for one another as brothers and sisters, all equal under the eyes of God.

This is what the handshake is all about and ditto BBI which is intended to implement the vision behind the handshake and in tandem with what Sir Charles and like minded also had in mind those many years ago.

It’s befitting that this vision comes to fruition in their lifetime, even as the future generation reaps the benefit.

 

 

BBI Implementation is Not an Option

As I often say, even as I blog and pen columns, there are certain things I would not say other than to those who need to know. There are also things I keep in confidence from the same, shared only on need to know basis. Chief among those, is strategy, which is also strategic to share but only after the fact as I am doing here but in other cases as a strategy in by itself. Go figure.

When you read tomorrow’s column, you’ll see a reference to “Nuclear Option.” This is a strategy I shared with the powers that be and I have alluded to it before in one of my blogs.  I know for sure no one ever thought about it in 2017 and, had Baba followed through with it, it would have created an earthquake and shook up things more than the handshake has.

However, I am happy it’s the handshake we’re dealing with, not that other option for it had and still has its complications–and NO, we’re not talking about going into the bushes.

Rather, a sophisticated, yet practical solution to rigging through legal channels and if certain people who should know hadn’t even thought about it, then for sure nobody else knows or has thought about it to this point.

I say this because the option can be used as I posit in my column to implement BBI, if the headwinds against it are too strong propelled by forces of those who would want to derail the process for their own, selfish and insatiable thirst for power.

So, as we get ready to battle on this important task, this is still an option I see as viable and I know Tangatanga has no clue what it is.

My suggestion is let them think twice about their false belief they can take-on and defeat Uhuru, Raila and the system because I am fairly confident if push comes to shove, the president and BBI supporters can rally to have the Nuclear Option adopted and put into effect to implement BBI and the country will be better off for that.

Yes, many disgruntled but nothing anywhere near the masses who for decades have suffered violence, destruction of property and deaths of loved ones all in the evil BBI is specifically intended to jettison.