Opinion: Odinga never got to Canaan

Today it’s final and there seems to no other way. Every option has been exhausted and the Supreme Court Ruling over the 9^th August Presidential Election is settled. The declaration of 15^th August 2022 is now the law of the land. This means the loser with the smallest possible margin Raila Odinga didn’t reach in 2022.

Raila Odinga has tried since 1997 to get into the Presidency. Odinga has fought and tried, and never ever given up. No one would have faulted him or been disregarding him in any way. Odinga has fought and justifiably so. In 2017 I felt it was unfair and the second term for Jubilee seemed forced. The Fresh Presidential Elections wasn’t making things any better and now we are here 5 years later; and the Azimio couldn’t deliver or get him there.

Odinga has wanted to go Canaan and the promised land for so long. That has been clear. His only gotten into power or in close association with influence by making handshakes. Either that was Mwai Kibaki or with Uhuru Kenyatta. He himself didn’t get elected or get the majority to settle in. Even if that seemed believable in 2017. However, now? Well, it doesn’t seem so and if it did. There would be more worrying aspects or reports coming out from all corners of the Republic.

The tiredness of the Odinga might have come this time around. It might have been fatigue or even the whole machinery thought it was covered. That’s why it didn’t get across the finish-line in time. Odinga could seem arrogant and ready. It was his “turn” and he was the next in line. Still, the man didn’t get there and now it’s all gone.

Some says Baba the Fifth is the President that Kenya never had. That is true. This is not for the lack of trying. He has sought for it for decades. Built coalitions and parties that others has built their careers around. The Orange Democratic Movement, CORD, NASA and Azimio will be things associated with him. That’s for his role in this structures, movements and coalitions.

If Odinga banked on the Jubilee and Kenyatta’s popularity. Well, that didn’t serve him well. That sort of gamble was not giving him way. No, that has backfired and is evident not being the case. Odinga was close, but it didn’t take him there. That was the whole point of it all.

I’m not writing these things to dismiss or discredit Odinga. Odinga has fought the good fight and been a reformist with a presidential ambition. That final goal was something he never achieved. Odinga fought a lot of other battles and has built a legacy around his name. While that being said, he didn’t overcome the obstacles and found the platform to get ahead. If he had… he would have compete in the Fresh Presidential Elections and would have done it now.

Now we know that both of these is water under the bridge. Odinga will never see the Presidency and be a President. He is a man who was close and who built teams to get there. While these teams and these politicians wasn’t enough. This time it should have been so. Ruto wasn’t that popular and such a beloved character. However, he was still able to play the game and win.

That’s why Azimio have to look into themselves and how they spoiled the race. This should have been in the bank. Was it running on a “third” term of Kenyatta that was spoiling it? I don’t know… but Ruto will be sort of that too. However, he was able to do it and it shocked some people to the core. Now the Supreme Court verdict is out and there is no way back.

There will be people who are lost, feels betrayed and are in a state of mourning. They should be respected and honoured. These people invested into a man and his campaign. These people stood tall and believed in the causes of Odinga. Nevertheless, it was never his time and it’s evident today…

Odinga is the President, Kenya never had and never will have it seems. Raila Odinga, Baba the Fifth was only a dream and it turned into a nightmare. Odinga will be written about and be well respected long after life. He has stood in the test of time. Baba has fought and been on the frontline for rights, justice and liberties. That shall be remembered, but he will also be remembered for never winning and getting into promise land.

He never got to Canaan. He went through the desert and walked in circles, but the Lord Almighty never allowed him to cross River Jordan into the Promised Land. Peace.

Kenya: National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) – Press Statement (08.08.2022)

Kenya Christian Professionals Forum (KCPF): Christian Professionals Press Statement on the Upcoming Elections – Accept and Move on! (08.08.2022)

Opinion: Odinga is on cruise-control … [but is it safe though?]

The Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance Presidential Candidate Raila Odinga is scheduled to win and do it comfortably this time around. This isn’t the first election or campaigns for Odinga. He has challenged for the title and the office for decades and it’s finally seems like ending there. Odinga needed to become the old man and a “baba” to be there. Because, now he has amassed the political capital and relations to ensure him victory.

While his far from alone in the race, the main competition is the current Deputy President and career politician William Ruto. The man who has went from two periods in the docket of the Deputy and being part of the government to become outcast and a direct opposition. The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Kenya Kwanza Alliance Presidential Candidate doesn’t have it solidified just yet. We know his team will boost his numbers, but being outside the machinery will show a hard time for him.

While the two other candidates which has been recognized and acknowledged in this race is David Mwaure and Professor George Wajackoyah. Mwaure is the Minister and Lawyer, the leader of the Agano Party Presidential Candidate. While Prof Wajackoyah is a Priest, Lawyer, Educationist and the leader of the Roots Party. These two has no real chance and is only fillers on the ballots. However, the last mentioned has caused more headlines and promises of unpractical exports and possibly a “high-life” for the ones voting for him. So, the populism is existing even among the candidates with little to no traction normally.

Alas… here is the case and no one should be shocked by this. The state-machinery and everything involved with the current status-quo is working on overtime to get Odinga elected. That’s the current President travels and rallies for Odinga now. The man he tear-gassed and killed his supporters in previous elections. Kenyatta has used all tricks against Odinga in past elections. So, seeing him backing everything behind him and being the “kingmaker”. Really shows that in politics, enemies are only temporary. Later they can become your allies, which in this case very true.

While a former ally and associate. Someone who worked close and went along with the Jubilee Coalition and the new formation of the Jubilee Party ahead of the 2017 elections. Ruto is without the backing or support of the state now. His not with powerful allies who can conquer or use the authorities on his side. That’s why his more eager and less arrogant in his manner. Even made a video trying to appeal to people after the debate. He cannot trust on Cambridge Analytica tactics either. The DP don’t have that and seemingly cannot spread his messages on social media like last time.

That’s why Odinga is more confident and relaxed about the situation. It’s the feeling that it’s already in the bag and he can finally take the W. While Ruto is anticipated to take the L. This is just the assumption and how it’s perceived. The electorate might feel otherwise, but all headlines and the general feeling is there. Unless, the Azimio camp suddenly breaks out of character and dissolve completely. Which would be weird… since it seems so calculated.

In a weeks time the polls are and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) better deliver credible and fair elections. Though people are afraid of that and the recent arrests of foreign “agent” or “contractors” has put that into jeopardy last month. People are wondering if the IEBC is put to it or even ready.

Last time the Odinga coalition, NASA was able to nullify and call for Fresh Presidential Elections. However, he lost for a second time there. Even if the then opposition claimed it was rigged and was malpractice, which launched Kenyatta into a second term. Now in 2022… years after the Handshake and the works of the Building Bridges Initiative for National Unity. We can just await the polls and see if Odinga finally crosses river Jordan into Canaan.

Time will tell and only in about a weeks time we will know. Usually, the IEBC uses most of the scheduled time to announce the winner and doesn’t do quickly after the polls. It is a tense time awaiting the final results. However, if the writing on the wall is right. Than it’s Odinga’s turn to reign and be in office.

Nevertheless, we can never know and there could be surprise. Maybe the hustler and his wheelbarrows was able to trick it all. I doubt that and I think Ruto knows this as well. The two other mentioned candidates are ballot fillers at this point. They are the Thirdway Alliance of this election and will not amount to anything sincere. Though the Professor has caused some controversy and also laughs online.

Well… that’s about it. I would be amazed if Baba isn’t announced during the end of next week. However, the year 2022 is a year of weird things and erratic behaviours. So, God knows and we don’t. We are just mere mortals awaiting another day. Peace.

Kenya: Turkana County – Office of the Governor – Statement on the State of Insecurity in Turkana South and Turkana East (01.08.2022)

Opinion: Ruto should have shined, but Odinga shunned it…

“Our competitors have run away from this debate in total contempt to the people of Kenya. They have little regard for the people of Kenya. They think the deep state is going to make the decision” – William Ruto (26.07.2022)

Presidential candidates David Mwaure and William Ruto showed up the Presidential Debates. We both teams of the main candidates ahead of the Presidential Debates has questioned and asked for points ahead of participation. That is what is ordinary and that the campaign teams are prepared for parts of the debates. This is normal as way of getting the candidates ready and ensure they can answer or know what sort of themes that are coming up.

So, it is sort of special after everything, as it seemingly looked like both Ruto and Raila Odinga would both drop out. That only one of them did. Maybe, the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Alliance is so sure of victory. In such a manner, that they thought it was clever to sit this one out and not show up. In this regard, Odinga is actually doing like Museveni did to the first Presidential Debate in 2016 and this is not a good look. He should have showed up.

Yes, Ruto failed on questions and showed that he has a tendency of lying. That is a character trait everyone knows and know his that sort of guy. In that perspective, the old-man and aged politician in Odinga could have been witty and smart too. He could have shown his finesse and how ready his for the Presidency. Instead his in absentia like Professor George Wajackoyah who also didn’t show up.

That’s why it’s only half of the top 4 who showed up. While the two main contenders, only one did and it was William Ruto. The man who has the most to gain from this and surely he will win votes by showing up. If he didn’t believe it would give him some credibility. He wouldn’t have entered and been there.

What Odinga is showing is a bit of contempt and disregard of the whole campaign season. Here he could have finessed Ruto and played at his game. Instead, his staying at home or not attending. That’s just showing how little he cares. A man who is supposed to be the front-runner and have the whole machinery behind him.

Odinga has no reasons to rest and take it easy. Seemingly he should win on a walk-over this time around. Everything that matters has gone in his favour until now. However, not showing up to the debate. While Ruto did… is bad publicity. Even if Ruto has a lot of own-goals and shown his character flaws.

Still, Odinga didn’t even dare to get out of the program and the self-serving campaign rallies. Which he controls and in a sort of territory he has been for years. To be questioned, tested and even possibly burned by another candidate could have shown who he as a man and a candidate. However, we never got to see that now.

“My competitor is not here because he doesn’t have a plan, he doesn’t want to answer questions, he could not come here because he is not here candidate, he is a project” (Ruto, 26.07.2022).

Even with all the failures of Ruto during the Debate. He still carried himself and was there. A place where he could undermine and spell out the grievances towards Odinga. If Odinga had been there… he could have addressed it and undressed him. However, that will never happen and certainly Azimio will have their reasons.

However, what is striking is that Odinga let this one go and boycott. Odinga has boycotted a lot of things over the years. It isn’t the first time he has done that and he could have been a big-man tonight. He could have been juggernaut and proven why Ruto isn’t fit. Nevertheless, that is only fiction and a fever-dream.

Odinga lost even more than Ruto tonight. Yes, Ruto did blunders and shown how he cannot keep his tongue always in order. Still, Odinga did even set foot in the studio or show anything worthwhile. His mute and not participating when it mattered. That’s the gist of it.

Well, there you have it. The Presidential Debates, which has been so up in the air and how it became. Odinga joined Wajackoyah. They are in the same bracket here and nobody would expect that in advance. Peace.

Kenya: County Government of Kisumu – Office of the Governor – Stop this Malicious Campaign Propaganda (25.07.2022)

Opinion: Chebukati has a massive hurdle to pass…

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should be a stellar institution and a place of trust. The Chairman of the IEBC is far from that. Wafula Chebukati is clearly over his head and has an epic problem on his hands. The recent days isn’t a good forewarning ahead of the polls.

The IEBC should be the gearing the final movements and prepared the details for the elections. It isn’t that long before the 9^th August 2022. This is an important date as the ballots, the counts and all the things needs to be in order. The IEBC has already a questionable history with the run-up to the 2017 elections and the nullification of the first round. So, there was a need for a second one.

The IEBC should because of that history even be more clever and secure the polls to be free and fair. Because, there was even questions about Cambridge Analytica and the servers from the IEBC in 2017. Now we are in 2022 and the IEBC isn’t making it easier to trust it either.

Chebukati has a history. Chiloba isn’t around this time, but Chebukati is and he should be more careful. The IEBC should coordinate with all government agencies if it is ballots from Greece or whatever. The same with all the technical expertise and the foreign agents/contractors hired for the BVR machines.

That he has hired Venezuelan contractors would be fine. If the Directorate of Immigration knew and if the other authorities knew about their entry. Secondly, if the possessions of the electoral equipment was alerted ahead of time. If not, it looks suspicious and weird. Because, why should foreigners carry equipment and stickers or anything associated with the elections ahead of time?

This is why the authorities and the ones arresting has a reason to detain them. It seems like people with questionable motives and entry ahead of the polls. That is what Chebukati should have cleared and ensured them a safe entry. However, that ship has sailed and things has instead been confiscated from the individuals.

You know things are not looking better when IEBC and Chebukati hires Smartmatic to handle the technical parts of the election. A company that has a bad reputation and could harm the legitimacy. The IEBC has already done questionable things in the past and there are reasons for why the NASA petition worked in 2017. The same could happen again and Chebukati could have fixed the issues from the previous elections. Instead his risking it yet again…

Chebukati knows that the election can be nullified for irregularities and illegalities. Now it seems to start with more of that days ahead of the polls. It is just appalling that its happening now. Chebukati should know better, but clearly his inept and incompetent. You can wonder how he got there and been able to stay in office.

The IEBC has trouble ahead when they cannot even clear contractors from Venezuela. Chebukati should know better, but clearly he doesn’t…

This scandal could have been avoided and the IEBC should have been prepared. However, that is too much to ask. Instead of oozing with confidence… it is questioned. That’s not a good look ahead of the polls.

The IEBC is the one that is behind the scenes and ensures credible elections. If they cannot keep their ducks in the row. How can the political parties or the general public for that matter? Everyone is supposed to trust the IEBC. Nevertheless, that’s something which is not a given, apparently. Peace.

Kenya: Independent Medico – Legal Unit (IMLU) – IMLU Condemn Extrajudicial Killings of Four Young Men in Kwa Maiko, Nakuru County (20.07.2022)

Kenya: Polycarp Igathe – Press Release (26.06.2022)