The little matter about the voice in the dark and allure of twisted logic

By Peter Kimani

Kenya: James Oswago’s got the swag; when he was being hounded by anti-graft officials, he reminded them he was not exactly a pauper when he joined the electoral body, IEBC, so a scrutiny of his past finances wasn’t necessary.

It’s not as though Oswago had bought 30 townhouses at a go; he just had a handful properties scattered around the city and his dala.

But other folks won’t tire subjecting Oswago to further scrutiny, even when the burden of proof should be on his interlocutors.

This week, a tape recording, and which formed the basis of a major TV “investigation” claimed Oswago expressed misgivings about the integrity of the polls.

Now, it is completely asinine to impute any improper motives on Oswago for expressing an opinion. Any Kenyan would give an opinion for nothing. And since I do not speak Dholuo, I am inclined to believe Oswago’s explanation that some words are being put in his mouth, quite literally, especially words that don’t make sense in his language.

Still, it is curious that this major “investigation” relies solely on the Cord manufactured tape to conclude that the polls were rigged, without at least making the most obvious conclusion, that the tape is Cord’s own admission that they attempted to tinker with the polls.

For if indeed Cord did establish contact with the man alleged to be Oswago, what would one call that? And does that not elevate Oswago to a hero, rather than a villain, for failing to succumb to such manipulation? That’s pretty common-sensical, but then, common sense isn’t so common.