Raila Odinga is the Mario Balotelli of Kenyan politics

Massive talent never achieved much. The similarity between Raila Odinga and Mario Balotelli is overwhelming to say the least. Though both are in totally different professions, their inadequacies in whatever they do, added to the fact that they carried vast expectations on their shoulders cuts a perfect niche for great comparison.

Raila Odinga, who is known to all Kenyans, has been in politics for so long now. In truth, he jumped into the fray a couple of years before the entire crop of current politicians in the country. From the very onset, he had his eyes set on one target, that of the highest office in the land; the presidency. With this in focus, the now undisputed king of the Luo political contingent set out to claim the prize. Time and again he tried but failed either by design or resign. Despite this nerve drenching fact, he has remained newsworthy within the country. How he does baffles even the best of professors.

Now, his comparison Balotelli. Just how does such  huge talent end up in the flop team of the year in English football? Like Raila, Balotelli has always been in the news on and off the pitch. He came into the scene with a huge bang. At the onset, everyone knew he was a star on the rise. He scored goals almost for fun. He set out in pursuit of the World’s Best Player tag, one which at the time was very achievable considering his football abilities. Day in – day out his name filled the newspapers across the world, if not for his goals, his physical brawls. Then now came his shortfall. Like the former Kenyan premier, Balotelli failed to get anywhere near being the world’s best.  He soon set out on a mission to swap clubs in order to get on that which would keep him in the news. This failed as well. And now, he remains devoid of the value that saw him come to the Premier league. One thing is for sure though, just as we are sure to see the premier in the next elections so are we that Balotelli will somehow play first team football in a European club next season.

Raila just like Balotelli won’t stop trying. He has vowed to wear his boots and request for play time come 2017. Somehow, the world knows the outcome of this attempt but that won’t stop him anyway. He will keep his fights with the government till then I suppose. His cohorts shall keep the sycophant chants flowing loud till then, and rightfully so.

What’s rather odd about these two is the fact that they can’t just be assumed. No opponent in their stable mind would take any of them for granted. I bet this is the sole reason they keep playing. They both hope for that one lapse in the concentration of their opponent to find the back of the net. Assuming Raila in Kenyan politics is a recipe for one's downfall. He has given all his opponents sleepless nights time and again, and continues to do so even now. Little wonder all Kenyan presidents have always had battles with him, verbal or otherwise. All too good for us the audience. We shall sit back and enjoy the game as is served.