History in the East African Community’s giant economy seems to be repeating itself after the opposition coalition- AZIMIO LA UMOJA leader Rt Hon Raila Amolo Odinga refused to recognize President William Ruto’s leadership in what he and his supporters termed “electoral injustice”.
Kenya’s August 2022 polls have been a subject of political contestation after Raila, his running mate Martha Karua of NARC Kenya party claimed to have swept the majority of Kenyan votes. However, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission- IEBC’s results announced by its chairman Wafula Chebukati declared President Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua winners.
Raila’s team petitioned the Supreme Court to have the election results nullified; but the top court upheld Ruto’s victory. Ever since that ruling; Kenya has never been the same. Raila and his Lieutenants maintained a radical posture that Kenya has no legitimate leadership. Nonetheless, Ruto’s side maintains it is legally in office and appeals to the opposition side to submit to the constitution and the rule of law; otherwise this could open the floodgates for chaos and violence in the country.
The Baba man Odinga’s AZIMIO members declared their intentions to paralyze Government activities. They have made 20 countrywide protests commonly known as Mandaamano holding consultations on electoral injustice, rising cost of living and economic difficulties facing Kenyans.
Orange Democratic Movement of Raila Odinga, Martha Karua’s National Rainbow Coalition, Wiper Democratic Movement of Kalonzo Musyoka and Eugene Wamalwa’s Democratic Action Party have been pushing William Ruto’s government to step down on grounds of electoral theft and failure to deliver on his campaign pledges.
From the economic perspective; Raila’s led opposition has mounted pressure on Ruto’s government to stabilize the economy. The Kenyan shilling is on a free fall; the government of the day has scrapped subsidies on Unga (maize flour) and Petro which led to unprecedented hiking of commodity prices on the market. Furthermore, there has been scarcity of forex reserves, the US dollar continues to strengthen against the Kenyan shilling. Much as President Ruto is being criticized for collapsing the national economy; we also have to take into consideration the current war between Ukraine and Russia and shocks of Covid-19 pandemic that have affected economies globally. Kenyans ought to exercise patience and give President Ruto and his government more time to fix the economy and lower the rising cost of living.
In my view, we must agree on the fact that it’s too early to judge President Ruto on delivery since he has only been in office for six months. On the issue of electoral theft, Raila and his compatriots exhausted constitutional avenues to get justice. Since they had agreed to petition the Supreme Court- a court that had jurisdictions to hear the case and settle the matter; equally, Raila and his allies should adhere to its ruling and let the elected government serve Kenyans.
On the issue of a whistleblower whom AZIMIO says has accurate results should as well have been raised during the petition proceedings at the Supreme Court. AZIMIO will always face an uphill task to substantiate its grievances.
In a move that would settle the disputes; Hon Raila and President Ruto have both ruled out the “Handshake Deal” despite appeals from various groups including members of the clergy, celebrated statesmen on the continent, and some other political outfits in the country.
Now, what makes history repeat itself, it’s Raila’s declaration of Monday, 20 March 2023 march to State House where a million people will force their way into the Harambee House, depose President Ruto and install Raila as President (although Raila’s latest statement rules out storming the State House). As a student of history, I recall very well the 2007 Post Election Violence that claimed over 1,100 innocent lives. The violence erupted After Raila refused to accept the election results where former President Mwai Kibaki (RIP) was declared winner. The mass protests ignited mass killings, destruction of business, property and public infrastructure. Am sure nobody wishes to witness such horrific incidents again.
What we are seeing today is a replica of 2007; what will happen when the masses march to the State House? Will security agencies sit idly by and watch as thousands storm the Presidency? Will President Ruto order use of force to subdue the protestors? If nothing is done between now and Monday to stop the protests; the country is in for another bloodbath; signs are so revealing.
Africans of goodwill should pray for Raila and Ruto to dialogue, hence reach a consensus on how Kenya should move forward. The nation is bigger than individuals.
Harambee.
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