Wetang’ula does not know how much power he wields

Of the three main politicians in CORD, Senator Moses Wetang’ula is the only one who has an elective seat.

Raila Odinga’s defeat in the 2013 presidential elections meant that he would, together with Kalonzo Musyoka, be technically out of government and in particular, out of Parliament.

The Constitution relegated the two co-principals of CORD to the sidelines.

The only person who had the good fortune to find himself in Parliament was Mr Wetang’ula given that he contested and won the senatorial seat for Bungoma County.

That was a blow for Raila and Kalonzo. The Constitution denied them an opportunity to connect with the electorate by dint of their immediate positions: the prime ministerial position for Raila and vice presidency for Kalonzo.

Elective positions such as MP or appointive positions such as the defunct prime minister and VP post  provided what former US President Teddy Roosevelt referred to as the Bully Pulpit; a public office or position of authority that provides its occupant with an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue.

The presidency or legislative positions provide a thousand and one opportunities for public speaking—occasions that the occupants use to harness the bully pulpit to champion causes, or articulate policy or alternative policy positions to policy challenges or problems facing the nation or a section of the population.

Wetang’la could have used this opportunity to build his political profile in the minds and hearts of Kenyans. But what happened?

Wetang’ula was literally dragged out of the Senate and has spent the better part of three and half years consorting with his two co-principals of CORD.

The senator has never stood alone on any public policy issue or problem—to be seen in own right as a leader whom Kenyans can count on to protect and advance the public interest. Instead he always runs to speak alongside his two colleagues on issues and often at press conferences or funerals.

A short while into Uhuru’s presidency, intellectuals affiliated to CORD rubbished the legitimacy of Parliament within the constitutional structure of our Government.

They cleverly did this to ensure Wetang’ula or any other politician in the Opposition did not weaken the political statures of either Raila or Kalonzo during their five-year stay outside Government.

The political and legal consultants came up with things that would mislead or distract Wetang’ula from focusing on the Senate as an institution from which he would serve the people of Bungoma and Kenyans in general.

Things like Okoa Kenya have been political red herrings. Wetang’ula has spent all his energies, time and skill collecting signatures for Okoa Kenya movement and also fighting the IEBC on the ostensible grounds that it does not have the credibility to manage the forthcoming elections.

All these are distractions from ensuring that Wetang’ula and then Kalonzo do not ultimately decide whether indeed, they have the balls to stand up to Raila for the CORD presidential ticket.

The 2017 General Election is around the corner. It is pure deception to insist on pushing for a referendum at this point in time.

Honest politicians should be busy laying the foundations for contesting in the Presidential election or for other elective positions.

Wetang’ula has not provided the leadership that Kenyans expected of him as Minority Opposition leader.