COULD UHURU BE SCARED?

I feel compelled to express my opinion about the recent political events in our country. It is hugely disturbing that Mr. Owalo,a top aide of Raila Odinga was summoned and grilled for hours by the C.I.D, nothing wrong about that but the accusations leveled against him, as reported by various reputable papers are a complete joke. Is someone in Jubilee scared? But why would strutting operators like William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta be afraid of a Mr Owalo? A man who will forever be a case study to aspiring politicians about how not to run an election campaign. Can a man who failed to run a campaign be so successful at destabilizing a country? Save me the rib crackers.

I am actually quite shocked that it has now become an offense to mobilize churches, youth groups and NGOS to peacefully protest or rally for a given cause in a democracy, even a nascent one such as ours. I can’t help but feel like this a sad reminder of old dirty politics where opposition leaders and activists could be picked up for questioning by the once dreaded special branch. Some were locked up never to return, accused of fabricated, made up charges of plotting to destabilize the state. A wonderful diversionary tactic use by unpopular repressive regimes, it worked well for Moi

I don’t hold any brief for Mr. Owalo but if the charges against him are as they have been reported, peaceful countrywide protests, then his summons are and should be a great ground for real concern. It’s worth remembering that the right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in our constitution. There is nothing wrong about regrouping and rallying by citizens or opposition political parties to keep the government in check. Genuine democracy requires not just elections, freedom and a political culture of tolerance. Freedom even to hold and propagate a divergent opinion to one held by the sitting government.

Let’s face it, previous elections were bitterly divisive and the country hasn’t really gotten over it and without doubt any attempt to bully and suppress opposition leaders or their aides will aggravate tensions that have been trampled underground. I didn’t like it one bit when Mr. Odinga was recently humiliated at the JKIA, denied access to V.I.P lounge. It is an insult to majority of us and leaders who marched, rallied and endured threats and arrests to widen the doors of freedom, that we all enjoy now, when you treat Raila like a scrap metal. Raila Odinga may not be everyone’s cup of tea but he is a towering figure, arguably the most important politician in our country’s history.

The sufferings he has endured and sacrifices he has made for this country puts him head and shoulder above every other politician. I am not using hyperbole when I say that. Perhaps jubilee wants to sent a clear and unequivocal message that they are now in charge but to do it in such a manner will do little to endear their government to a large section of the Kenyan public, that didn’t vote for them. Of course, it is not firmly established if this excesses by overly overzealous subordinates have the blessings of Mr. Kenyatta, but his silence is telling.

Now to my next point, to those who seek to defend the indefensible, the most pressing concern for most Kenyans is not about keeping Raila or the opposition in check. The priorities that should be piling high on jubilee’s plate, to create jobs for the youth, reduce the cost of living, what they had captured so well in their fairy-like manifesto. It is almost becoming fashionable to scapegoat Raila for almost all problems facing jubilee, beginning with the teachers strike, the charges facing Jubilee’s top two at the Hague. I don’t buy that. Store away your animosities and get down to work. Your score card will be your manifesto and nothing else

Yours jubilantly (though somehow heartbroken) Bonnke Muti’as