Opinion: Winnie Odinga’s entitlement is out of this world

“I have been around the world; I have met kings, queens, celebrities and world leaders. I have been a photographer in my past life, a campaign manager, a writer, and now am a CEO of a digital communication firm. I do this side gig where I am the youngest female MP for Kenya in the East Africa Legislative Assembly” – Winne Odinga (Citizen Digital – ‘EALA MP Job Is Just A Side Hustle – Winnie Odinga Says’ 11.04.2023).

You know your entitled and privileged when a role in the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) is seen as gig or a side-hustle. That is the story of Winnie Odinga… it is her own words and shows how far from ordinary life she is… because she doesn’t even value or appreciate the gift she has been given.

The EALA is Members of Parliament that is elected by fellow peers or appointed as such by metrics made in the National Assembly. There is no national elections or such. No, they are getting there on merits and on the basis or size of the parties in question. Therefore, Odinga is there because of the ODM and the Azimio la Umoja fraction of the National Assembly. She is there as a part of nepotism and cronyism.

Even with that being said… she is still so humble and calling it a “side-gig”. When plentiful of the citizens of Kenya would be lucky or happy to be in her place. They would feel special and unique to be there. It would be a prestigious role and title they would wear with honour. However, Winnie Odinga doesn’t even value it…

That’s saying something… that’s something else. This is the elite, the rich and the ones who lives on privilege. This is how they think and considers things. She isn’t even humble enough but shows her arrogance.

Others would have died for the position; they would have offered anything to get where she is at and she’s there not out of popularity or because the people elected her. No, she is there because the ODM and the ones in the inner circle wanted her there. That’s the gist of things and it shows her blatant disregard for her role.

When she takes the EALA as a side-gig, as a side-hustle. It just shows what sort of person she is. This is just a steppingstone and doesn’t really matter to her. That’s tragic, because there are loads of people who would love to be in her place. There are plenty who would love to have the honour and privilege, but here we are and the lack of gratitude is clear as day. Peace.

Kenya: Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition Party – Announcement of Public Engagements by Azimio La Umoja (11.04.2023)

Kenya: Office of the Leader of Minority Party, J. Opiyo Wandayi – The Worsening State of the Economy and Unprecedented Financial Crisis (11.04.2023)

Kenya: Joint Health Care Union’s Press Statement – Press Statement on Non-Prioritzation of Health Sector (11.04.2023)

Kenya: Office of the Leader of Minority Party, J. Opiyo Wandayi – Need to Probe, KRA and Revenue Collection and Management System (07.04.2023)

Kenya: Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition Party – Remarks of the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga to Special Session of Azimio Parliamentary Group Meeting on Dialogue with Kenya Kwanza (06.04.2023)

Kenya: United Democratic Alliance (UDA) – Press Statement (04.04.2023)

Opinion: Odinga wants power… and not a handshake…

In the light of the experience of contestation and subsequent conflict after the NARC MoU, the National Accord was entrenched in the Constitution and its provisions safeguarded both in the Constitution and through an Act of Parliament,6 thus avoiding the need to solve potential conflicts over the exercise of power and authority. The salient features of the Accord included, among other factors, the creation of the position of prime minister, which was earmarked for Raila Odinga, and the sharing of executive power between president and prime minister; the sharing of Cabinet and government positions on a 50-50 basis and consultation in all the affairs of government. The Accord further provided mechanisms for the dissolution of the coalition. Of utmost importance was the constitutional protection of the Accord, which insulated it from arbitrary and unilateral interference by the political class” (Denis Kadima and Felix Owuor – ‘KENYA’S DECADE OF EXPERIMENTS WITH POLITICAL PARTY ALLIANCES AND COALITIONS’ 01.06.2014, JAE Volume 13 Number 1 June 2014).

The Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition Party issued their “Deliberation” today on the 4th April 2024. Two days after President William Ruto called for dialogue and Azimio leader Raila Odinga called off the “mother of all demonstrations” which was scheduled for yesterday on the 3rd April 2023.

Now we are here and the deliberation from Azimio is telling. Azimio and Odinga will not settle for another round of Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). Because, deep down he knows that role is symbolic and only keeping busy from the streets. Another BBI will not serve his purpose or the Azimio leadership for that matter.

That’s why Azimio is proposing a new National Accord. Meaning they want a power-sharing agreement and grand coalition government. They want a sub-committee under the cabinet and be de-facto government. It shows that the “cost of living crisis” wasn’t that important and neither all the reforms either.

Odinga and Azimio wants a say and they want power. That’s why they want a new “National Accord” and not another BBI. This isn’t a handshake and creating a small entity to keep Odinga on “hold”. No, he wants to be the Prime Minister and have a say in implementation of government policies.

The agreement from December 2008 said this: “The Parties hereby designate the Cabinet Sub-Committee on the National Accord comprising H.E. Mwai Kibaki, President and Commander-in -Chief of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kenya, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya and the Eight Ministers who represent the Parties to the Kenya National Dialogue and Reconciliation as the body to oversee the day-today management and implementation of this Agreement” (AGREEMENT FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO POST ELECTION ViOlENCE, 16.12.2008).

This is what I thought of when I read the “national accord”. The Azimio leadership wants a coalition government and written agreement (accord) on such. It means they want a piece of the action and be part of the day-to-day business of government. In such a manner, that the accord between Odinga and Ruto gives him an advantage. Because, that’s the brilliant part of “unifying” in this manner. Azimio gets an upper-hand and gets to shake the balance of the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, which is already in office. This would be a quagmire and a hectic mess for Ruto to sort out and especially considering the deals he has already signed with allies. Therefore, a National Accord on the basis of grievances is asking very much of the ones in-charge or in-office.

The Azimio leadership is asking for a huge bargain with a National Accord and what that entails. It is like Azimio has been betrayed or the nation is facing the same issues as in 2007 or 2008. That was after massive post-election violence and destruction, which is nothing compared to now. None of wants that or considers that a viable option. Though Azimio has promised huge protests and government officials has spoken of retaliation towards the protesters. Therefore, the dialogue and supposed talks would be good for the nation.

What is striking to me… is that Azimio and Odinga is using the “cost of living crisis” to furthering their own pockets and their own political capital. The citizens and the ones in dire need will not be directly helped by a National Accord. It would only benefit the political elite and the ones in near reach of power. The rest will be left behind and their sacrifices for Azimio will be as fruitful, as the ones on the streets for CORD or NASA. Heck, the ones in streets for the OKOA demos know the drill. Now Odinga is asking to be at the table and get in office.

That’s the gist of things and we have seen it before. A National Accord is to make Odinga a “Prime Minister” and have a say in cabinet. It is to give him a office and prestige. That’s the game-plan now and his selling out Azimio by default. Just like he sold NASA on the altar of BBI. Peace.

Kenya: Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalition Party – Deliberation of Azimio Leadership since last Sunday (04.04.2023)

Kenya: Joint CSOs Press Release – Bleak and Dire: A crisis of Human Rights and Governance in Kenya (03.04.2023)