Political sycophants will kill Raila Odinga before his time

Many people from Raila Odinga’s strongholds have mastered the art of “eating from wrong plates.” There is a clique of so-called ODM supporters who believe that the only way to a political office is by pretending to love Raila passionately. They will do everything including posing for “forced photographs” with Raila, kneeling down while addressing him and even insulting other people with divergent views.

At any moment, these people will look for any slight chance to take a stage managed photograph with Raila while shaking hands. The photo will then be posted on every Social Media Network, with a view of making an impression that they are closer to Raila than others.

Of course, it’s not bemusing that recently ODM governors asked Raila to give them free party nominations in the 2017 general election. The Governors Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay) and, Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) now want to be exempted from competition with their opponents in the party primaries. Rasanga who spoke on their behalf during a fundraiser at Nyenga Mixed Secondary School in Suba constituency, said free tickets should also be given to Migori County Governor Okoth Obado if he ditches his People's Democratic Party (PDP) for ODM. "Mbadi I am sending you to plead with ODM leader Raila Odinga so that the incumbent Governors of Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Migori counties be given direct ODM tickets," said Rasanga. There is nothing new in this, as it’s been the dirty norm, not only in ODM but also among the most popular parties in Kenya.

This clique of sycophants has no limits – even in political rallies. They will do everything to touch the helm of Raila’s cloth or at least, shout next to him. Oblivious of the security threat, these folks will climb on the podium where Raila is standing, cuddle themselves in their twenties or fifties on a small dais just for a photograph. Many are the times when Raila’s security personnel are forced to stand in the crowd due to lack of space.         

While rebuking satan, Cord leader Raila Odinga and a host of coalition members fell during a rally in Kilifi county on Friday when a dais they were standing on collapsed. Raila was preaching on the eve of Easter on Matthew 4:1-11 at the Malindi municipal stadium after attending a court hearing when the dais gave way under the weight of several leaders who had jam-packed the podium.

On a normal Cord rally, you are likely to see Raila fighting for space in a thick crowd that wouldn’t allow him to go through. This in itself is a serious security threat to him and everyone in attendance of such rallies.

Some members of the clique of sycophants have resorted to awarding themselves directorate positions and titles at Raila Odinga’s Capitol Hill office. There are number of people claiming be Director of Political, Governance, Legal & Investment Environment Risks Assessment Advisories at Raila’s office. Somehow, all these are just ways of seeking free nominations in 2017. Give Raila a break and let him stay safe.