Many readers of this blog get very angry when I bring up the facts about the deliberate peddling of anti-Luo propaganda by the Jomo Kenyatta administration that began in earnest shortly after the assassination of Topm Mboya in July 1969.
Most Kenyans today have no information about this critical time of Kenya’s history and many are not interested. They just “know” that Raila cannot make a good president of Kenya and that’s that.
The truth is that of all candidates so far, Raila is best suited and surely no other Kenyan deserves the presidency more. While Kalonzo Musyoka was busy harassing his preserved opponents for supremacy in Kamba politics; folks like Prof Philip Mbithi, Raila was getting kicked in all the wrong places in torture chambers in Nyayo House.
But alas, that is exactly what effective propaganda is supposed to do. It is clear to me that a significant number of Kenyans if faced with the narrowed choice of either Raila or Kibaki for the presidency, will opt for Kibaki. Not because Kibaki is the better man, but simply because of effective propaganda over the years. Now the big question is, will there be enough numbers left on Raila’s side for him to still win the presidency? That is the area where opinion is sharply divided between the analysts. Those whose answer to this question is “Yes” point top the referendum results and insist that the votes will come in more or less the same way. Those who say “No” insist that the referendum was basically a vote against Kibaki but when two candidates face off and especially Raila versus Kibaki, then the results will be totally different.
What does Kumekucha think? I think both arguments have merit but if Raila were to win such a contest, it would be too close to call. But then may I remind you again that we have our candidate for president in this blog and it is NOT Raila.
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You and your candidate can remain secret at the moment. The thing is that Raila does not have the right to stand for the presidency, until ODM decides, if they will!
ReplyDeleteIt is not far away yet. Propaganda is part of political life and in the 1920s, it gave the world one of its most infamous sons, Adolf Hitler, who rose though German media propaganda.
Though you say you have no bias your comments keep leaning towards Raila and ODM outfit. We shall see who ODM selects and also the elections shall decide who will form the next government. Also please balance your commentary with solutions and not criticism. As a Kenyan my hope is that you want to see Kenya grow politically, socially and economically.
ReplyDeleteRaila has been seen as a political opportunist.I think one of his blunders was when he comfortably went to Moi's camp to remain relevant in the Kenyan politics of that time.I wonder whom he will court this time to remain relevant? That is still something i believe Raila will confound all of us!! Watch this space......
ReplyDeleteThere has been too much political talk over the last 4 years, and we hope 2007 elections will put these to rest. It will be upon the Kenyan voters to rise above tribes and propaganda machinery so as to elect leaders who will bring about the changes the country yearns for. Personally, I dont think Raila is a political opportunist. I give him (and others) credit for some of the "freedom" we are enjoying, and I support his continued push for democractic development. But ultimately it will be upon ODM members and Kenyan voters to decide if they really need him as president.
ReplyDeletechris did u say raila deserves the presidency because he was kicked in the ass? Forget it. There are many people who were mauimed and all we can say to them is "Accept our sympathies"When raila was terrorising jimmy Orengo in 2001,was he fighting for kenya? To hell with your candidate. U even go ahead and say raila stands a chance against kibaki in a two men contest. That is a big joke. For starters Raila cannot win a democratic odm nomination. I think that onwe will go to uhuru or kalonzo. And in the ridiculous event that kalonzo and uhuru were to shelve their ambitions for him, then kibaki will not only win the elections but the political careers of the two gentlemen will be thrown into dissaray for such a goof.
ReplyDeleteU guys will shout yaselves hoarse that Raila deserves to lead Kenya but I am telling u that close tpo 80% of odm supporters will go for Kibaki any time if the party gets that stupid.
Everybody who opposes raila is accused of disliking him coz he is Luo. And who said we should like him coz he is luo coz to me the only reason you guys like him is just that. He should be content with being leader of the luo.
Vikii....
ReplyDeleteFirst things first! Are you a Kikuyu? I know what you are thinking. Is anonymous a Luo? Yes i am.
I am not Kikuyu. Stop living under illusions that raila will lose because of the vitriol directed to him by the kikuyus. the truth of the matter is that he will lose the odm nominations and this will have nothing to do with kyuks. Kalonzo is not Kikuyu and that's a candidate Raila wishes would get a road accisdent and dies if only to win the odm nominations.
ReplyDeleteMy argument is that given a choice between raila and kibaki, most kenyans including me would not hesitate to vote in kibaki. In my opinion it will take not less than 100 years for raila to be considered a serious presidential candidate.