Why Kenyans in the diaspora are rooting for Baba

ODM leader Raila Odinga. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

On March 17, ODM leader Raila Odinga met, listened and talked to the Kenyan Diaspora in London. From the 1980s, Raila has influenced Kenya’s political trajectory, and in the process paid a heavy price for it.  

Today, Raila enjoys the love and confidence of most Kenyans, both registered and unregistered voters. Majority of them believe he carries with him not just the aspirations for a better Kenya, but the bitter experiences which he hopes Kenya will leave behind. 

His credentials as a patriot, a political leader, a professional and a political mobiliser invite many Kenyans with a discerning mind to enlist willingly and gladly to partner with him. Historically, Kenyan patriotism emerged out of the spirit of resistance to oppression and suppression exercised against Kenyans by then colonial masters. The resistance was in many forms and diverse.  

To get to the finish line that was Uhuru many Kenyans sacrificed lives, limbs, liberties and wealth. They sacrificed believing it to be an investment for a free prosperous and well governed Kenya. They believed that if they did not experience such a Kenya, their children and children’s children would. The baton was thence passed to the next generation. 

When Baba spoke to us in London, he captured the steps to Uhuru highlighted above. He amplified this with his recitation of the first paragraph and the first stanza of the second paragraph of our National Anthem. He shared the upheavals of the First Republic characterised by political intolerance, frequent amendments to the Constitution and killing of multiparty democracy.

He aptly captured how this spurred a fresh struggle and how multiparty failed to deliver the country until a new constitutional dispensation was enacted. And even when a new Constitution was attained, constitutionalism became a tall order, leading to eroding of democratic institutions and slumping of a once vibrant republic.

Through Azimio, Kenya is now presented with a viable political mechanism in which different political outfits with varying identities could come together, and reclaim their republic. As Kenyans in the Diaspora, we have borne the brunt of the hopelessness in our motherland. We have analysed the Azimio promises on social security, healthcare, job creation, women empowerment, education, food security and rejuvenation of home industries.

We believe Raila’s ticket has come at the most auspicious time, and that he represents the best hope for the country to spring and take its rightful place.  What Kenya requires right now is a uniting figure to leap to the next level. It requires a person who symbolises the collective aspirations and sacrifices of the nation.  

-The writer is a member of Azimio UK Chapter.