The future of Raila Odinga in Kenya’s political landscape is debatable. However, the most pressing question is what his legacy will look like? Will he go down in history as the fighter for democracy, the unifier, the man who spent his life working for Kenya? Or will he be remembered by future generations as the politician who distrusted constitutional institutions and cried foul every election circle?
Let us remember all the good things the man known as ‘Baba’ accomplished over the years. As minister of Energy, Roads, Public Works and Housing, he toiled for the Kenyan people with much success. Upon taking up the position of Prime Minister, he helped deflate a genuine constitutional crisis, joining a power-sharing government with Mwai Kibaki that saved Kenya from the brink of collapse.
Even before these positions of power, as the son of one of Kenya’s leading founding fathers, Raila was a fighter for multi-party democracy. He pushed for a new constitution while linking arms with leaders across the length and breadth of Kenya.
At the height of ills during the Kanu regime, Raila spoke out. Through the National Rainbow Coalition, Raila proved his real leadership qualities – his real leadership potential. He stood up for our rights, he stood up for our future. Even his NASA coalition was a multi-ethnic body looking to unite diverse groups. From Ford to NASA, Raila fought for the good of Kenya. However, some argue something may have gone wrong for the opposition chief. Maybe it was the betrayal by Kibaki? Maybe it was one too many electoral challenges? But irrespective of the cause, one thing is clear – Raila appears to have lost the plot.
During the recent campaigns, he lashed out at almost every institution. He took issues with security agencies linking them to an alleged plot to rig the election. He constantly criticised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). At some point, he also chided the courts.
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He also ignited rights debates among the Maasai in Kajiado. In the wake of the recent election debacle, his supporters ran with the dangerous slogan ‘No Raila, No Peace’. Once again, post-election violence raised its ugly head again.
All the hard work, the sweat and toil he invested in developing Kenya’s democracy is being thrown away. He appears to suggest that he has to win for any election to be termed credible.
He ignores the legitimate voice of the Kenyan people. He has been visiting the West to discredit Jubilee and undermine the democracy he once fought for, ridiculing the Supreme Court he once supported and laughing in the face of the Kenyan voters he once claimed to speak for.
Has he learned nothing from our history? Sovereignty belongs to the Kenyan people, not in the halls of the US Congress or British think tanks.
The unified statement of support for President Kenyatta from some governors this week was timely. We were all proud to see the governors come together in a loud call for Kenyans to get back to work. They understand and appreciate that devolution was a success, the same devolution which Raila worked for, and Uhuru implemented.
So what will be the legacy of Baba? Will he be remembered as a proud Kenyan who fought for democracy? A patriot who worked tirelessly for his community and beyond? Or will he be remembered as a career politico who failed to impress at the ballot and chose disorder over peace?
- The writer is a lawyer
