OPINION: The opposition must re-brand as a government-in-waiting!

Opposition parties in Kenya have never disappointed in marginalizing themselves through fragmentation and fighting each other on the eve of general elections. A combination of immaturity, lack of seriousness and lack of resources for serious campaigns meant that the opposition parties never really presented themselves as a serious contender for the presidency. Mostly they have been participating in elections to satisfy a fundamental principle of democracy

In truth, in the past four years, opposition parties have portrayed themselves as sure losers meaning that they have often dismally failed to inspire popular demand for change. In effect opposition politicians canvassing for votes have been treated as political comedians whose primary role has been to chide the ruling party Jubilee. We have seen politicians who forgot their primary goal to legislate and hold the government accountable. We have seen a fragmented opposition playing to the whims of the ruling Jubilee. For the past four years, we have seen an opposition often disorganized, dilly-dallying, noisy, all talk- no action.

However, the formation of a national super alliance will give Kenyans a formidable alternative in the process of transforming the country’s political landscape. The formation of the alliance will give those voters disgruntled by Jubilee an opportunity to shop for a new government.

While this will be exciting times for the opposition, they must be prepared to guide the country responsibly. They shouldn’t just be a grouping of politicians who are power hungry. They have probably spoken enough against the ruling Jubilee and now it’s the time for them to sell their policies to the electorate. Jubilee is already dangling goodies and chest thumping of how effective they have been in fulfilling the pledges of their manifesto. Its time the opposition began telling the electorate what best alternatives can they offer to improve things like infrastructure, devolution and other areas of interest to Kenyans.

This rebranding exercise should be understood as a sign of maturity. If they can hold together and forego their personal ambitions is something else altogether. Kenyans are keenly watching to see how serious the opposition is as a government in waiting.