Why Amisi is making Shikuku look like a saint

Saboti MP Caleb Luyai Amisi. [File, Standard]

Saboti MP Caleb Luyai Amisi has lately been generous with political innuendos but stingy with the truth. He has overtly claimed that Baba Raila Odinga asked him to form ‘Linda Mwananchi’ as an exit strategy, or Plan B, in the event the ODM-UDA union collapsed.

He has also rallied the united Opposition to adopt a ‘Pentagon-like’ formula for picking its flag-bearer. Through his fringe People’s Renaissance Movement, Mr Amisi has gone a step further to offer unqualified moral support to Siaya Governor James Orengo’s presidential ambition.

But cheekily and without tabling any tinge of evidence, he also accuses Mr Orengo and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya of dividing Linda Mwananchi. Once a smart voice within Senator Edwin Sifuna’s camp, Mr Amisi has become ‘suddenly very clever’ as Mwai Kibaki would put it! What’s more, the lawmaker now watches Mr Sifuna’s forays with a side eye.

To be honest, I admire Mr Amisi’s new oomph. But for the sake of his own credibility, he should climb down from his high horse and tell us what he stands for, ideologically. He can talk less and do more. Otherwise, the ground will begin to see in him a reincarnation of the late Opposition guru Martin Shikuku. 

Interesting times, isn’t it? That’s why, as Mr Amisi hogs the limelight that he was Baba’s Mr Fix-It, there are three rhetorical questions: First, could Jakom have just woken up one morning to assign the junior politician the enormous task of crafting an exit strategy from the broad-based government?

Second, beyond his Twitter (X) ranting, how exactly would Mr Amisi have galvanised a revolt against President William Ruto had ODM and UDA gone separate ways? Third, could Mr Odinga have trusted Mr Amisi more than his own Secretary General Sifuna, party heavyweights Gladys Wanga, Simba Arati, Abdulswamad Nassir, Wycliffe Oparanya or even Mr Judas Iscariot himself?

Mr Amisi should avert the ‘mole’ or Shikuku inference at all costs. Let me remind you who Mr Shikuku was within the Forum for the Restoration of Democracy (FORD), and why he’s remembered in ignominy. FORD was a force in 1991 during the agitation for multiparty politics. It brought together politicians, activists and former Kanu big fish.

But midway, internal differences soon began rocking the movement. Mr Oginga Odinga, Mr Shikuku and Mr Kenneth Matiba had a clash of egos, and Ford splintered into Ford-Asili, Ford-People and Ford-Kenya to the chagrin of Opposition supporters.

The split helped Kanu triumph despite the formidable promise of the Opposition. The confusion began after Mr Shikuku embraced President Daniel Moi. When confronted about his dalliance with Kanu and a secret meeting at State House in Nairobi, the then outspoken Butere MP said he was merely ‘eating ugali’ with the president. The rest, as they say, is history.

This brings me back to Mr Amisi’s current modus operandi. My prediction is that many of the ‘young blood’ positioning themselves to challenge President Ruto will fall by the wayside. They will be swallowed by the very disunity within their own ranks that they have failed to tame.

Dr Ruto will be the sole horse in a field of donkeys and mules next August. It would be like pairing a piece of cake with a plate of githeri. The new energy of Mr Amisi and his ilk will be a stillbirth if they insist on talking too much in rallies and on social media with no substance.

We must also remember that truth can be lethal to those who profit from lies. But still, everyone is entitled to think and act as they please, even when their stand exposes them for who they are. Mr Amisi can support Mr Sifuna’s bid. He’s equally free to sabotage the senator’s bid.

Meanwhile, those who’ve noticed the MP’s sudden energy have the right to interpret it as they deem fit. They can take him seriously or dismiss him as a political hireling. Importantly, Mr Amisi has new energy, ambition and a party. What he needs is strategic restraint so that he doesn’t make Mr Shikuku a saint.

-The writer is a communications practitioner. X:@markoloo