Why Raila should say ‘Kibwana Tosha’

The clamour for change that was birthed in 2002 is coming around 20 years later — in 2022. We all must agree that Kenya needs another round of political abracadabra. We must also acknowledge that if there is a solid-rock legacy for Raila Odinga, it was in 2002 when he said ‘Kibaki Tosha’.

And if there is a legacy he will leave to Kenyans before age exits him from active politics, it is not going to be the BBI. The best gift Raila will give to Kenyans, which will be credited to his account for the rest of his life and beyond, will be to endorse a neutral and transformative leader come 2022. I propose to him Prof Kivutha Kibwana.

Raila’s followers (referred to as his cows by his close aide Junet Mohamed) would, of course, find my suggestion absurd, if not downright repugnant. But the way BBI is going is not the way it started. In my view, only younger politicians will reap most from the initiative. At 77, Raila is cast to be a symbol of national unity — and BBI politics might disintegrate that vision.

Back to this article’s main character. In 2019, Kibwana expressed his hesitancy in vying for the presidency in 2022. He termed it a costly venture that calls for immense wealth. By this, methinks, Kibwana meant more than money and wealth. Vying for the presidency can be a waste of energy and resources if you do not subscribe to political oligarchies — either political coalitions or oligarch’s kingmakers. Kenyan presidency is given by the people and the people’s kingpins — the so-called kingmakers. The other politically incorrect monikers include the system and or the deep state. Why then are we here for an unwilling candidate?

On Wednesday morning, Kibwana posted this on his Twitter handle: “I wish to serve as your president come 2022. I am seeking the support of Kongamano La Mageuzi (KLM), a pro-change movement. Kindly endorse my candidature...”

The post elicited varied views, which are not the subject of this article. At least the best we can do is to expand the choice of candidates. That is the crux of democracy. Kenyans can then interrogate them and make informed choices.

Kongamano La Mageuzi (KLM) describes itself as “a coalition of diverse Kenyan individuals, organisations, initiatives and movements organising to seize political power for Wanjiku!” The problem with this movement’s endorsement is limited — they can’t be kingmakers. In addition, the act of ‘seizing’ political power is not politically correct — a debate for another day though.

Truth is, politicians, make politicians, and it is in political parties where such consents are manufactured. As such, if Kibwana is to be Kenya’s 2022 president-elect, political institutions rather than activist movements must endorse him. The KLM coalition, however, is a good start for him.

In my opinion, it will be good if Raila endorses a candidate with demonstrated servant leadership like Kibwana. But why should Raila endorse Kibwana? Because the ODM leader has not yet indicated that he will be in the race come 2022--and the clock is ticking. In fact, he has on several occasions told off those who have suggested that he is heading in that direction.

But give it to him, to the chagrin of many, Raila is still a formidable kingmaker. However, you may ask, is Raila the only one who can say ‘Tosha’? Is there no other person who can endorse presidential aspirants? Of course, William Ruto is another kingmaker — but due to his ambition, he is likely to go for it himself in 2022.

Divisive politics

Third, I once dared Raila and Ruto, in this column, that if they want to fight out squarely in 2022, they must battle it out as kingmakers. I’m not implying that they will lose if they contest. However, if Raila and Ruto will be in the 2022 ballot, the country will hardly remain united post-election. Fact.

Remember, both have invested heavily on divisive politics, or rather, their politics are founded on regional and ethnic alters. Thus, Kenyans perceive them as ethnic kingpins — cryptic! Can we have choices beyond Raila and Ruto — the lead beneficiaries of horserace journalism and horserace political analyses?

Kibwana can offer one of the best alternatives. I do not need a whole column to debunk the person of the law professor who held positions in the ministries of Defence and Environment in the Kibaki government. He also served as Makueni Constituency MP.

He is a transformative leader with a good track record. As a human right’s activist, his candidacy will give civil society and political class a neutral candidate. That way, Kenyans will approach 2022 with optimism as was the case in 2002. Note that the symbol of national unity cannot be a constitutional amendment Bill — our Constitution puts that mandate on the president. Kivutha Kibwana can provide one.

-Dr Ndonye is a political economist of media and communication