Why CORD is running scared about elections

The season of outlandish claims is here. The latest outburst by the Opposition that the government plans to rig the polls falls in this category. The remarks by CORD are, by all intents and purposes, an express admission that it has lost the election long before even a single ballot is cast. By crying foul in advance, CORD is in essence seeking public validation of their imminent defeat. Their assertions should therefore be treated as a concession speech. We would have celebrated CORD’s poorly concealed confession if we did not have a lot to do rather than focus on elections that are nearly two years away. We have promises to honour and are in no mood to party over the woes of a ceaselessly confrontational Opposition. What happened to the political strategy of putting on a bold face even in the face of overwhelming evidence that you are fast losing ground?

It is easy to discern why the Opposition is scared stiff. It would be devastating for ODM, to lose the next polls. It would be even more shattering for Raila Odinga who will have been in the presidential race four times without landing the State House keys. In such utter hopeless situation, you have no choice but to invent all manner of baseless claims as the cause for your failures and inability to project yourself as an alternative government. If CORD came up with these unfounded rigging remarks solely to prepare Kenyans for their imminent resounding defeat, we would not be overly concerned. However, this is patently a barefaced ploy to reject the democratic will of Kenyans in the 2017 polls.

It is worrying that the consequences of Raila’s denial of free and fair polls have invariably been despondence at best and chaos at worst. The mayhem of 2007/08 is ­still fresh in the minds of Kenyans. The uncertainly created by CORD in the aftermath of the last General Election is also still seared in Kenyans’ memory. This made it difficult for the new government to preach unity among Kenyans in the aftermath of a polarising election. CORD created the impression that there was a conspiracy among electoral actors, comprising some communities, the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission and the courts, to exclude a section of Kenyans from the mainstream politics. This is the scenario we do not want to be caught up in 2017. Yet this is the same script the Opposition has apparently embarked on reenacting. Arguably, all this desperation is driven by the ODM leader who is determined at all costs to win the presidency given that this is his, most likely, last chance. However, all signs point to the fact that his prospects are irredeemably dismal.

In any case he has secured an ample space in the annals of history having played a significant role in bringing about the reforms that Kenyans are currently enjoying. What’s more he is a former Prime Minister, a position that was by no means insignificant, and would have catapulted him to the presidency had he utilised it well.

As opinion polls have shown, his support is fast waning and I believe his stature would be diminished considerably after 2017 elections. With his presidential dream becoming a mirage, wisdom dictates that he accepts that cold hard reality in his stride, as a man of valour and honour and call it quits. This is the best route for a man who claims to be a democrat, reformist, nationalist, pan-Africanist, etc.