Raila Odinga begins presidential bid at historic Jacaranda Grounds

It is not common that anyone would arrive at any event after the president and that they would speak after him.

It is even more uncommon that a retiring Kenyan president would hit the campaign trail to sell the Opposition leader as his preferred successor.

On most occasions, the president is usually the man of the occasion. Everyone else is just there to see him.

Yesterday’s event was not President Uhuru Kenyatta’s. The multitudes who camped at the Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi for hours persevered the sweltering heat because they wanted to witness Raila Odinga start a new journey - that of being the Azimio-One Kenya presidential flag-bearer.

And that is why Uhuru led the way, arriving ahead of Raila at 4pm, six hours after they had advertised they would be at Jacaranda. Raila, waving a fly-whisk from the sunroof of his vehicle, followed behind.

Organisers had publicised the day as one meant to celebrate the ODM leader’s endorsement by the Azimio fold.

The president would, too, when he took to the stage moments after he had unsuccessfully tried to mimick Raila’s famous dance after terming the day historic.

But it was not just Raila’s celebration, the president would say.

“We are celebrating those courageous enough to put their ambitions aside and support Raila,” Uhuru said.

Wiper leader and One Kenya Alliance principal Kalonzo Musyoka would take cue, declaring Raila Tosha, a move he said was from the bottom of his heart.

“We have come a long way with my brother Raila. I was ready to vie, I still am, but age matters... I thought that Raila would say Kalonzo Tosha, but from the bottom of my heart, I will support him and campaign for him across the country,” he said.

The unlikelihood of yesterday’s rally was not lost on Uhuru.

“Not many would have imagined that my brother Raila and I would work together four-and-a-half years after the last election,” Uhuru told a charged crowd.

“They said that we were lying to each other. Aliye na macho haambiwi tazama,” he said, before giving an assurance that Raila’s government “would leave no one behind.”

Stepped down

And when Raila took the microphone, he thanked his colleagues who had stepped down in his favour, saying he would not let them down.

“They have handed me the baton. I will run like a warrior and bring the victory home,” Raila said.

The president had earlier declared the former prime minister their flagbearer to a rousing response by the thousands present.

The crowd’s energy was in itself something of a wonder. Many had arrived at the venue as early as 7am and had spent the day pushing and shoving and running and jumping.

Others had lined the streets, eagerly waiting for the Azimio guests. Hints of sirens would set them off running, hoping to see the grand convoy emerge.

The crowds were more interested in witnessing history: Raila’s start of a new stage in his campaigns.

Tucked in the heart of Eastlands, Nairobi, Jacaranda grounds is more than just a venue for political gatherings.

Significant moments

For many residents of the neighbouring Jacaranda, Soweto, Donholm, Kayole, Komarock and Umoja estates, the historic grounds marks the start of significant moments in their lives.

Aspiring footballers get their first feel of the actual size of a football pitch when they step into one of the three pitches at the grounds. Many hope to start the journey of a fruitful career that will end up in the big leagues of Europe at Jacaranda.

It is one of the few recreational spaces in Eastlands that are yet to fall into the hands of land-grabbers, and hence the grounds offer the best place for hopeful youth.

But Jacaranda is more famous as the place they got behind a vehicle’s wheel. For a fee of Sh100, you earn a lap driving a car of your choice from the many on offer. And so the youth, unable to raise the fee required to enlist in a driving school, troop to Jacaranda.

Like prospective footballers and drivers, Raila hopes that the journey he started at Jacaranda, will end up fruitfully - with him in State House.