Raila owes Kenyans explanation why he disowned worthy cause

 

Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga visited the Toy Market on Aug 5, 2024. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

Today is Nane Nane. I am not sure how the day will unfold. I am cautiously optimistic that no one will lose life for the simple reason that life is sacred.

And, no one will be abducted or arrested regarding the protest calls made to mark this day. But my wish is not binding to anyone least to the law enforcers. The demand side, the citizens, have rights too in which case let us stick to the law of the land for the benefit of everyone.

As a reminder, why do people protest en masse as they would want to today? And, why do leaders ignore the reasons people protest? When grievances are not substantially addressed, it does not matter the political realignments at the top. While there might be a reprieve, a one-day cheering hired crowd of hungry persons, they will wake up to the pangs of hunger the following day.

An educated but jobless young person might enjoy some political spectacle of who is moving to which camp, who has been cornered and who are losers and winners in Kenya’s quickly changing political scene. But it does not take a week or so before the reality of joblessness digs in to generate pessimism and disillusionment in life. Put the other way, painkillers do not take away a damaged tooth. A dentist will have to attend to it.

The shared feeling and interpretation among many Kenyans is that the major grievances of the protesters have not been addressed. Take the question of accountability and transparency in government. When it all seemed the Kenya Kwanza government had heard it clear and loud on social media and on the streets that accountability is life and death if young jobless Kenyans have to be supported, it seems imminent that the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) is being leased for 30 years.

Well, a case has been filed in court to determine the validity of the lease. Whichever way it is determined, such high-stakes claims dampen the spirit of Kenyans who wish the government to become accountable as well as committed to improving the lives of all citizens. When governments ignore the outstanding grievances of their citizens, they look for scapegoats.

I am not sure who asked for a government of national unity as a solution to the problems we have. Those of us who question but also suggest solutions to the problems of this country cannot remember at what point this kind of “broad government” arrangement was suggested or propagated to solve unemployment, reduce the cost of living, improve electoral malpractices, or strengthen accountability in the usage of public resources.

What am very sure has been the focus of many observers, commentators and constructive critiques is a call to fight massive corruption in government, stop arrogance towards citizens, desist from using demeaning language against people of lower means, stop tokenism as a form of development strategy, and be humane.

Opposition chief, Raila Odinga, has been the face of protests in Kenya. Nevertheless, he is a paradox of sorts. Besides giving collapsing governments a new lease of life, as he has ably done for the Kenya Kwanza government, he defends the very ills that he protests. He led protests against the Kenya Kwanza government for, among other reasons, stealing his win. Now, he is comfortably in the same government intending to redeem its poor performance.

To be fair, the man has done his bit in expanding the democratic space we enjoy. Come on! Let the man, Raila Odinga, enjoy whatever benefits he gets from wherever he seeks them. It is upon the rest of us to figure out the Kenya we want and shape it. However, he owes his followers an explanation of why he would just abandon a worthy cause as if he is not accountable to his hitherto followers. As he moves on, it is only fair that he stops to wish well his bewildered supporters most of whom are young and would love to follow his footsteps for a country that flows with plenty within its borders.

Dr Mokua is the executive director of Loyola Centre for Media and Communication