It is now clear that it is either Raila Odinga or Kalonzo Musyoka (depending on where your radical support falls) who will cause the inevitable disintegration of ODM at worse or the emergence of two splinter ODM-Kenya factions.
Initially it was Kalonzo who was accused of creating antagonism in the party by what was termed as 'shifting goal posts all the time' over the procedure of presidential nominations and was attacked by even close friends like Joseph Nyagah, another presidential aspirant in ODM-Kenya, who asked him to leave the party rather than continue with his constant "nagging".
However, that passed fast as the abortive United Kingdom bonding trip for ODM luminaries badly back-fired on Raila's face as almost everybody boycotted the trip and have now isolated Raila whose remaining allies seem to be only the Luo MP's in ODM. Things are so bad that some analysts are now starting to look at an ODM party minus Raila Odinga or two factions with Raila in one and Kalonzo in the other.
And it seems that word within inner Narc-Kenya circles is that the tougher candidate is bound to be Kalonzo who is expected to end up with more tribal chiefs on his side. Could this be the reason why there are whispers that Chairy Ngilu will be Kibaki's running mate this time round and that President Kibaki will opt to stand with the original Narc?
It seems that all of a sudden, the Langata MP can no longer be trusted by his ODM colleagues and word is out that there is an elaborate plot to isolate him completely and force him out of ODM-Kenya or alternatively leave him with an empty shell as all the other tribal chiefs unite under a different brand new umbrella all the time ensuring that his departure causes minimal weakening as the rest of the luminaries stick together to support one candidate, supposedly Kalonzo. Apparently this is exactly what is being put on the table as negotiation continue through emissaries as temperatures are fairly high at the moment.
Majority of ODM leaders are not idiots or politically naïve and are aware that Raila can never beat Kibaki alone and more so due to the issue of ethnicity in politics where Raila is unlikely to garner significant votes from any other community besides his Luo brothers, if he opts to go it alone like he did in 1997. In fact no presidential candidate currently can win the presidency going it alone.
Kalonzo seems the best bet as being a Kamba, he can marshal support from the rest of the communities including Kibaki's Kikuyu's and those from mount Kenya region which has parts in Eastern province which should be Musyoka's stronghold. Musjoka's radical supporters insist that their man is strong enough. This blogger has his doubts and I have nothing personal against the son of Musyoka (which means in Kamba, the one who returns).
My heart goes out to Raila Amollo Odinga who has suffered so much for the sake of this country and who has virtually been a one-man opposition party for so many years. In all fairness he deserves a stab at the presidency much more than any other presidential candidate currently, but alas, the rough and tumble of Kenyan politics, it seems is keen to deny the son of Jaramogi once again.
Real Gikuyu man answers lonely frustrated beauty who complained to Kumekucha about her lovers of the past.
I wish to comment on the imminent collapse of the ODM. I think it is good for kenyans to watch with satisfaction as a grouping of thieves, conmen, and tribalists among other pretenders becomes irrelevant. They also have guts to think that Raila Odinga can rule Kenya. No way. How can a kihii rule a bantu country? Let him and his filthy Kavirondo kihiis know that kenyan leadership is not like fishing omena in lake victoria. We need President Kibaki for another 5 years to make kenya an economic giant in Africa. I wish someone could shoot Raila the idiot in the anus. No need for shooting in the head as it is empty.Kioko, BC, Canada
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris, but I think you seem to be casting doubts about an ODM unity up to the general elections and again you seem to have fallen to the mistaken belief that Raila, being a Luo, cannot garner sufficient votes to beat the incumbent. I honestly do not know what gives you reasons to make this conclusion. Perhaps you base your analysis on the 1997 elections which saw major political parties field candidates, and I think its an mistake because lot of water has passed under the bridge since 1997.
ReplyDeleteAnother thing, all candidates originate from tribes and I wonder how any Kenyan citizen will run for an elective seat without first being a muhindi, muluhya. mukamba or mumeru. However, TRIBALISM means "behaviour, utterances and attitudes that are based on strong loyalty to your tribe". Who fits this description is something I will leave to anyone's guess.
You also seem to imagine ODM and NARC-K are the same in terms of stability. Let me remind you, prior to the referendum and prior to existence of the ODM, Kanu as the official opposition in parliament, was performing dismally and the entry of LDP in opposition benches brought a new lease of life and hope. I think that ODM is a strong party brought into existence by demands of the people themselves during orange rallies. Any ODM candidate who quits now for whatever reason, will be writting their own political obituary. On the other hand, NARC Kenya was formed by desparate politicians because Mrs. Ngilu refused to cede the leadership of NARC to individuals who wanted to hijack the original NARC dream and national goodwill. What do you think?
PS. I will refrain from responding to the Neanderthal insults from Kioko.
Chris, do not tolerate such insults in the name of freedom of speech. Please exercise your powers to remove that comment above.
ReplyDeleteI wonder where such hatred comes from, but am more scared at how many others could be incited by such remarks and where it would take us as Kenyans. Please remove that comment and never host abusive terms on your blog.
@ annonymous
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to leave your carefully considered opinion here.
The truth is that if I had to make a choice now over all the presidential candidates, I would not think twice. My vote would go to Raila.(Although the truth is that this blog supports another candidate that is yet to declare).
And I would vote for him rather than the others even though I am not a Luo. I know many other non-Luo Kenyans, including young Kikuyus who would also vote for Raila.
Look at what is happening at ODM currently. Those other cowards waited until Raila was in the US to stab him in the back. And those are the foxes some Kenyans want to be president. Better Kibaki at any time, at least he stabs from the front when you are looking.
Having said what is in my heart, let me now put on my political thinking cap. The truth is that of Raila were to stand for president after the current ODM fiasco, he would find it difficult to beat Kibaki. That is a fact. He would need the support of most of the other major presidential candidates. Especially because of the tactics I know Kibaki's handlers would use agai9nst him (very similar to those of Kioko's in the first comment)
Actually I have information that you may not have. Things are tense wityhin ODN at the moment and chances of the party remaining intact are slim.
I really debated with myself whether or not to delete Kiokos’ abusive comment above. In the end I decided to leave it because a real democrat accommodates the opinions and sentiments of others. And secondly I wanted Kenyans who are after real change to see what we are up against.
Annonymous, thank you for taking the time to leave your comment here and thank you for reading this blog. Some of the issues we do not agree on will be resolved by time and it is my sincere hope that I am proved wrong (for the sake of Kenya)
Otherwise please keep reading and disagreeing with me where you feel I am wrong. Brother how can I not like you and yet you are my brother. How can I not like you just because you prefer blue socks and I prefer green?
God bless Kenya, God bless you...
...and God help Kioko
-Kumekucha-
P.S. Charlie I hope you agree with my reasons for leaving the comment above. If not please let me know.
I am with you but disagree your thinking on this but disagree when u have your political hat on.
ReplyDeleteCould what you claim to know (that I dont) be whats on the grapevine? That at least 2 ODM contenders were in state house and had meetings with the tenants and former tenants, just a day or two before the aborrted london trip? And that oaths have been administered to ensure RO does not become president of Kenya?
I think if they fall into the trap, voters will deal with them mercilessly. Remember such games may have been a success in 92 and 97, but the same failed miserably in 02. Many major defections took place then, remember? I'd rather they opt to loose an election honourably, than play with voter's intelligence.
chris ur being irresposible in not monitoring some of the comments put on this site and not censuring them accordingly.Freedom of speech has it limitations and no1 should be allowed to use this site to express his ethnic hatred and perversion
ReplyDeleteACT ACCORDINGLY!!!!
Or just shut down this site if ur not able to handle the responsibility.
Chris, I see where you are coming from and I won't fight too hard on this. But I must say that if I were you, I would avoid hosting such strong abusive statements on my site.
ReplyDeleteThere is the bigger picture, a great danger of it inciting other impressionable emotional types and who knows where that can lead Kenya. It only takes a small act to incite tribal warfare. On a smaller scale, there is the danger of those insulted responding in kind and this blog degenerating into complete rubbish-talk that one finds in another popular Kenyan website that I won't mention.
The mere fact that we are discussing it shows the ability of such talk to distract us from discussing issues.
Kioko. I am sorry that you are that low in thinking. No wonder your calibre of people cannot make a president. I realy wonder what school you went to, or Moi never built one near your home, or you opted to look after goats or you went foraging for honey or you are part of the clique that feared to go to school for what Kalonzo Musyoka once defended.
ReplyDeleteI respect all tribes, and it will be bad to classify the tribe that your name belongs to as unpredicatble, wavering and above all a cowardice. Would you like me to do that? I think you will not. Then respect other people's tribes and you do not need to be that petty over politics, which Moi said 'Siasa ni Maisha' Kioko ni maisha Mbaya!
I will start by responding to Chris who says he is privy to things we do not know. I respect ur opinions but I want to hope you were addressing those fellas supporting Raila Odinga coz there is nobody in that entire camp of hooligans and stone throwers knows more than i do. We always meet them in t5he pub but you know what they are just so full of themselves as Kamotho once put it. They always claim to be in the know but the truth is that they are the biggest fools and blind people the world has ever known otherwise how do u expect anyone to support Raila? Chris you also said that raila has suffered fighting for Kenya. Yes He has suffered but I am convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that he was not fighting for Kenya but himself and his family. The real fighters for kenya are James Orengo,Matiba,Rubia and Wanyiri Kihoro. la is the biggest dictator inn this world. When he was appointed minister he within a very short period of time took tens of GSU lorries (Together with Chris Okemo)to Ugunja and made them beat up Orengo because he was opposed to Raila's and Moi's corrupt ways. Inn odm I will any time vote for Nazlin,Uhuru,Ojiambo or Kalonzo (I go for Kalonzo coz only he can win). Chris u also said better Kibaki, fine even me and many other kenyans who are not luos will vote in a dog if it were to stand against Raila.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do not support Kioko's cvhoice of vocabulary, I think it is misplaced for people not to be prepared to stomach divergent views. Chris has deleted some comments here before but we are telling u guys that we will never accept pro-Raila propaganda here. Why are u always emotional when you are called Kihii? If u are not [proud of it why dont u have yo foreskins cut?
There is aguy who called Kioko a tribalist. I gut an answer for him.When you put in the name of kalonzo there when Kioko should be held accountyable for his words and deeds are u not being just that?
We will vote in the Kalonzo allianmce but if he dares support that son of a whore then Kibaki has never been a devil.
One message for Chris and company: How the hell do u expect Kenya,such a great country to be led by a boy? Luos have a long way to go b4 they can lead. How can second class citizens lead Kenya? Shame on u
I will start by responding to Chris who says he is privy to things we do not know. I respect ur opinions but I want to hope you were addressing those fellas supporting Raila Odinga coz there is nobody in that entire camp of hooligans and stone throwers knows more than i do. We always meet them in t5he pub but you know what they are just so full of themselves as Kamotho once put it. They always claim to be in the know but the truth is that they are the biggest fools and blind people the world has ever known otherwise how do u expect anyone to support Raila? Chris you also said that raila has suffered fighting for Kenya. Yes He has suffered but I am convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that he was not fighting for Kenya but himself and his family. The real fighters for kenya are James Orengo,Matiba,Rubia and Wanyiri Kihoro. la is the biggest dictator inn this world. When he was appointed minister he within a very short period of time took tens of GSU lorries (Together with Chris Okemo)to Ugunja and made them beat up Orengo because he was opposed to Raila's and Moi's corrupt ways. Inn odm I will any time vote for Nazlin,Uhuru,Ojiambo or Kalonzo (I go for Kalonzo coz only he can win). Chris u also said better Kibaki, fine even me and many other kenyans who are not luos will vote in a dog if it were to stand against Raila.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do not support Kioko's cvhoice of vocabulary, I think it is misplaced for people not to be prepared to stomach divergent views. Chris has deleted some comments here before but we are telling u guys that we will never accept pro-Raila propaganda here. Why are u always emotional when you are called Kihii? If u are not [proud of it why dont u have yo foreskins cut?
There is aguy who called Kioko a tribalist. I gut an answer for him.When you put in the name of kalonzo there when Kioko should be held accountyable for his words and deeds are u not being just that?
We will vote in the Kalonzo allianmce but if he dares support that son of a whore then Kibaki has never been a devil.
One message for Chris and company: How the hell do u expect Kenya,such a great country to be led by a boy? Luos have a long way to go b4 they can lead. How can second class citizens lead Kenya? Shame on u
Yet again Chris, we are seeing some of the reasons why the country Kenya still remains among the poorest, most corrupt and most undemocratic in africa. This was initially a healthy debate by individuals keen on improving democracy in Kenya. However, its sad to note that there are those who still believe they are better humans than others. Why should you be insulted for exercising your democratic right??
ReplyDeleteConstitutionally, the so called 1st class citizens have only one vote each just as the 2nd class uncircumcised do.
I will ask again, how does this barbaric ritual (circumcision) improve one's ability to have a family or manage public affairs or even engage in a simple debate on a blogger like this? Obviously none!
The real complainants should Kenyan women like me. But I am happy to coz I see women of all tribes running all over Nairobi looking to "hook up with uncircumcised luo men" - who are the only Kenyan men who trully know how to "look after" us. And I dare 1st class citizens to challenge me on this??? With a Luo man, one can always be sure of getting royalty treatment and 1st class service.
He/She who resorts to insults and racism is clearly one who has run out of ideas and is unable to face and challenge divergent views. Peace.
Chris,
ReplyDeleteIt is sad to note that this debate has been watered down to tribal chauvinistic sentiments. I agree with the decision to leave such comments on the blog for it is a mirror of the sort of opinions the general public or parts of it have.
Having discussed this issue with a few of my 'politically distinguished' colleagues, I truly believe that Raila's best bet for the presidency would be to form an alliance with Kibaki, Agwambo as VP. I must concede that this seems far-fetched, given the history the politicians have had. In 2003, Raila was known or termed as 'njamba' by the residents of Mt. Kenya. This is a feat that no other Luo has achieved in history.
Kikuyus would gladly repay the favour by supporting Raila come 2012, considering his immense contribution to the election of Kibaki. This, in my opinion, would be his 'safest' bet to State House.
Or what do you think?
have all the kiuks who are against Raila simply for him being a luo ever thought what would happen if the other tribes, ganged up against the kiuks? hutu style? the kiuks think that the presidency is theirs. who cheated them? this time round we will see who calls the shots. in fact they should see that if anything it is their own leaders who are so tribalistic. or else if Raila was tribalistic, would he have allowed his son to do ngurariyo to one Vero? kiuks chanukeni otherwise..... and have respect for the other tribes. coz we have to learn to live with one another and our generation should shun tribalism, so far so good. we will get there.
ReplyDelete