Opinion: Baba’s fantasy on corruption…

I was a governance expert to the late President John Pombe Magufuli. He often called me seeking expert opinion on how he could seal corruption loopholes in his country and he managed it. We will employ the same strategy to tame corruption and ensure more funds are allocated for our people, do not be deceived that there’s no money in the government. I was the Prime Minister for six years and I know where there are loopholes of corruption. When we form the next government, we will seal all those loopholes and use the money to fund projects” – Raila Odinga (Ian Byron – ‘Raila Odinga: I will seal all corruption loopholes’ 27.12.2021, Daily Nation).

The Orange Democratic Movement leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is coming with more empty promises ahead the elections in 2022. In the elections where it seems like his the successor or heir of President Uhuru Kenyatta, which his been allied with through this term, as they both have benefited from the handshake in 2018.

I have a hard time believing the man that helped the Jubilee and Kenyatta, who has resided over a government running grand corruption scandals and misusing public funds. Suddenly will make swift changes and revolutionize government procedures, protocols and block loopholes, which the corrupt elites uses to benefit from the state coffers. Therefore, this is selling another Canaan and another dream…. which will never appear. It is a mirage in the desert as a person hope’s to find greener pastures and possibly water….

Nevertheless, the stooges and the ones associated with Odinga will believe this. The ones who follows Baba is aligned with his campaign. They will sell this every other promise he comes forward with. These people will say it’s possible and is legit. However, do they think people are stupid?

That an second generation, wealthy politician and very connected elite person will fight against the others in his tax-bracket? Really? If it would have happened, it would have been sincere when Odinga was less fortunate and didn’t have all of the estates he does have. His part of the political elite and been eating too. He wants his cuts and his pieces of the pie. Not just the office and the prestige. That’s why he has risked everything on the BBI process, which was a failure from the get-go.

Baba can promise the heavens and salvation. He can promise that he will make water into wine. The naive will buy these pledges… because it sounds legit and Odinga knows how to wording himself. His a smart politician that way and he thinks the ducks are in the row for him now. As the dynasties and the ones in power are backing him. That’s why he has faith of him setting up a government and an administration after the next polls.

Odinga can promise the world and we know he won’t have the ability to deliver that. That isn’t new in the political sphere and he would be far from revolutionary by doing so. Baba is just another career politician who knows what to say and do. His ODM and allies will brand him in positivity and achievements in his career. That’s what they are doing and is supposed to do. However, don’t expect him to do magic.

As an ally of Kenyatta during this term. He didn’t challenge or use his “office” to make the government transparent. Neither has he questioned the assaults on the judiciary or other offices in favour of the Presidency. So, when the Presidential Candidate didn’t stop the corruption now or use his influence for betterment as an close ally of the President. Why would he do that as the President?

I cannot believe he will be a man of action. The handshake should have given him more leverage than making elitist amendment changes to the Constitution through the BBI. So, when Odinga promises to end corruption. I believe that is “hot air” and wasted space. However, even if it is so. He needs to be called out on the bullshit and not just praised for his great ideals, which we know he will not achieve or care about delivering. Peace.

Amani National Congress (ANC): Statement on the Proposed Huduma Bill (21.12.2021)

Kenya: County Government of Kisumu – Office of the Governor – Unfortunate Remarks by UDA on Corruption (17.12.2021)

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union – Press Statement on the COVID-19 Policy Brief Launch by KMPDU (16.12.2021)

Kenya: Kenyatta signals Odinga as his successor

It must be written in this unedited book of history that; we chose the bold path over the popular path. The Lion is “…not the strongest animal in the Savannah. Neither is it the biggest. Neither is it the shrewdest. But, it is the boldest”. And this attitude of boldness is what makes the lion, the King of the Jungle. Indeed, this is the reason it is said that “…an army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.”” (Uhuru Kenyatta – Jamhuri Day Speech 2021, 12.12.2021).

Today at the 57th Jamhuri Day celebration at the Uhuru Gardens. The speech President Uhuru Kenyatta held and his action afterwards proves what has been the unwritten fact for a while. This isn’t shocking, but a mere reality for everyone to see.

The Handshake and Building Bridges Initiative for National Unity (BBI) have mended not only bridges, but has ensured the alliance of Kenyatta-Ruto to stifle totally. The Deputy President William Ruto has been dismissed and is an open opposition in the middle of the government. He is part of Jubilee, but working to build another party on the outside. While the President is busy proclaiming and supporting the unopposed and unannounced second in command, Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.

Now, the Jubilee Party and the ones behind Kenyatta is clearly signing off for Odinga. This is clear and the ambition is there. As Odinga got to speak at the stadium after the President. Breaking with protocol and showing the clear intentions. Not only what he said in his speech.

Just read this…. this is the green-light!

And when the former Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga and I shook hands on March 8th, 2018, it was because we saw a crack on the wall of our nation. We had run two elections that costed the country Sh1 trillion in business loses and we were staring at a nation divided right in the middle. Because we had disagreed respectfully, we knew that this was a mark of progress. It was difficult, but the necessity, the reason and the recognition that we as Kenyans needed each other, nation before self, as our forefathers had taught us to come together, reinforced our resolve. Therefore, the need to come together and mend the crack on the wall of our nation necessitated the first amendment to our Constitution. And although it encountered some legal obstacles, I can only say that BBI is just a dream deferred. One day, someday, it will happen, because the country cannot survive ethnic majoritarianism and exclusion just as it cannot survive unfair and skewed representation. This is a design defect that we must fix” (Uhuru Kenyatta – Jamhuri Day Speech 2021, 12.12.2021).

We can now clearly resolve that Kenyatta and his allies are behind Odinga. The dynasties and the ones who are connected is working for that. This isn’t shocking, but has been anticipated for a long time now.

It has been clear for anyone who has been following the President and his team. That they have favoured Odinga over Ruto. Even if Ruto is his deputy and been his running mate in two elections. Odinga have been the opposition and main candidate against him.

This shows that nothing is lasting forever in the political landscape. Because, Odinga should be a natural opponent, but we know that isn’t the case. As Kenyatta and Odinga have worked closely with the BBI and been working mates because of that. This has issued a relations and brought peace between them. Which has caused friction and a fallout between Kenyatta and Ruto.

That’s what is visible here and nobody should be in shock or awe. This is preparation for the dynasties to be aligned before the 2022 elections. It is to continue the cartels and ensure the state works like it does.

If Ruto ever needed a reassurance or knowledge of the machinery behind him. Well, he doesn’t have that, but Odinga will have it now. The state and the powerful will make Odinga into an angel and a saint. He will be going on bridges of gold and have Midas touch.

Odinga is the man to look out for now. He has struggled and paid a huge price. The BBI and the handshake salvaged his position. Now, the opposition and the ones who was in alliance with him has been searching for a home. Now, the CORD/NASA co-principals has to find their way too. If Kalonzo, Mudavadi or Wetan’gula will either find a new home or a new head to work with. These has to either go alone or join either of them.

Odinga don’t need the NASA co-principals this time around. He has the machine behind him and Kenyatta salutes that. Therefore, time will tell how the rest of this will play out. However, this is the preparation … for the election and the everyone should be aware if it was to subtle to see it for what it is. Peace.

Kenya: Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) – The manhandlign of Hon. Mary Wamaua – MP Maragua (11.12.2021)

Kenya: Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) – Withdrawal from the Multi-Sectoral Consultative Forum (30.11.2021)

Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists and Dentists’ Union – Press Statement on COVID-19 Omicron Variant (30.11.2021)

Kenya: Jubilee Parliamentary Caucus – Press Statement on Conduct of the Deputy President (16.11.2021)

Kenya: Meru Young Professionals letter to the Office of the Deputy President – Re: Demand for an Apology (16.11.2021)