Has Raila Exhausted All Options, New Demands Calculated To Seek Political Relevance?
The Mt Kenya Times 
Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- This is explains why the police would not allow the protestors to access certain areas including Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
- This time, the police restrained themselves and only used teargas and rubber bullets in ensuing running battles with armed riotous.
- Raila used the same card in the aftermath of the general elections held in 2007, 2013 and 2017 respectively, and he had his way.
- His supporters targeted and unleashed terror to members of the communities which did not vote for him.
- This time round, the situation could have been worse if his plan worked. This is because he knew President William Ruto is a hard nut to crack.
I have lately been listening to the narrative of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga and I’m sure many would agree with my observations.
He sounds more less like a frustrated person whose options have withered down.
This is unlike in the past when he kicked off the countrywide mass protests but only his supporters residing in Nairobi and Kisumu who would heed the call.
For the first two demonstrations, the turnout was somehow good in the two areas.
He got buoyed as he traversed the slums of Nairobi while addressing them.
As we know, the constitutional mandate of the National Police Service (NPS) is to protect the lives of Kenyans, their properties and maintain law and order.
This is explains why the police would not allow the protestors to access certain areas including Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
This time, the police restrained themselves and only used teargas and rubber bullets in ensuing running battles with armed riotous.
The law allowed the officers to do so if they felt their lives are real danger.
The Raila was synonymous with organizing and leading chaotic, bloody and destructive demonstrations (Mandamano) fashioned to cause maximum damage.
This was in violation of the letter and spirit of Article 37 of the Constitution which provided for peaceful demonstrations, picketing, and processions. The protestors were therefore required to be unarmed.
Raila would say by word of mouth that they were committed to obey the law. But this would be a PR excercise, not what is in his mind.
Raila used the same card in the aftermath of the general elections held in 2007, 2013 and 2017 respectively, and he had his way.
His supporters targeted and unleashed terror to members of the communities which did not vote for him.
This time round, the situation could have been worse if his plan worked. This is because he knew President William Ruto is a hard nut to crack.
Dr Ruto had repeatedly vowed he will not succumb to his blackmail and intimidation.
“You developed a habit of forcibly demanding a ‘Nusu Mkate’ (half share of the government) after losing the elections.
Forget this. It will never happen in my government. I want to put this matter to rest”.
Dr Ruto further stated. When you lose elections, allow those elected to do their job of serving the people of Kenya.
Don’t give us problems. Your role as an opposition leader is well defined. Stick to that lane.
Notably, a vibrant and robust democracy is hinged on existence of two distinct political formations-the government and opposition.
Raila knows this very well. So, why would he fight so hard to join the government?
Many believe it is simply because ‘this is the time to eat’.
To him, leadership is about eating. He won’t allow his competitors to eat alone.
This thinking is not right. First, it exposes him as a person who has been preaching water and drinking wine.
The story of fighting from trenches was tailored to achieve one goal. Ascend to power and take charge and control of the national cake.
To me, leaders are elected to serve but not to eat.
For now, it seems Raila’s options have withered down. When did the rain start beating him?
This is when Kenyans started to give his demonstrations a wide berth. This is after they realized he was taking them for a ride.
The credit here goes to President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua. They had crafted a well thought out and a good strategy to counter him.
They cast him as a person harboring uncontrolled bitterness and anger. This is because we defeated him and again we have said a big No to his push for a share of Nusu Mkate.
He is therefore out to destroy your businesses, economy and endanger your lives.
President Ruto would reiterate. I took the oath of office to protect your lives and properties.
So, I will not allow Raila to execute his evils plan. I’m dealing with him in accordance with the provisions of the law.
This script resonated well with the position of the international community and religious leaders in Kenya.
The efforts led to the birth of the bipartisan talks. A committee of 14 members of parliament and senate-Seven from Kenya Kwanza and seven from Azimio-was set up to discuss the issues in contention and build consensus around the issues that conformed with the provisions of the constitution.
The talks were suspended a few days ago after Azimio protested that Kenya Kwanza was not taking their issues seriously.
We have given the government 6 days to show their commitment.
This is not the first time the Azimio leader would issue the ultimatum.
He had done this three times and would make good his threat. This is because he knows he has lost the support of the people.
Besides some of his demands were extra-legal and extra-constitutional. The government is therefore opposed to the demands. Reason? They are designed to create trouble and cause confusion.
We agreed with Azimio leadership to discuss what will take our country forward. Raila is taking us backward. We will not time for this monkey business.
Kenyans gave us a job to do. Our focus is to serve them, Ruto would tell him.
For me, I once repeat this. I agree with those sharing the position that Raila’s options have fizzled out. In his new demands, he is just looking for political relevance.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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