Luhyas have a right to demand their share of public appointments

By Kibisu Kabatesi
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The 25th Substone Moses Budamba Mudavadi Memorial was organised purely to celebrate a great man as told by tributes from family, local and national leaders, especially by former presidents who knew him well.

I had the honour to be secretary of the organising committee for the commemoration and can vouch that the political overtones that may arise are self-inspired and conscripted. Many will read different things in the event. But what stands out is it was an opportunity to remember a man who stood steadfast in his convictions, including unity of the people.

It may well annoy some people that the successful event reminds them of their meek and wayward ways, their inability to coalesce around ideas rather than constantly bicker over egos. The rousing tributes reminded many that it takes conviction, not rhetoric, to get things going. 

Here was a man who spoke less of what he was doing but was getting things done. Not many so-called Luhya politicians have the mantle to get anything done other than shout loudly about things they know not and can do nothing about.

The event also highlighted that Luhya unity can be achieved, not by loudly shouting about it and at each other at funerals but through stealth and developmental-oriented politics.

Cowardly, some MPs have been at funerals lamenting that Jubilee has discriminated against the Luhya in public appointments.

When opportunity to face-off with President Uhuru,  the cowards ducked into a funeral to continue shouting! Such kind scouts the funeral pages and listen to radio burial announcements only. For their wishlist is who should die for them to go and harangue them with empty rhetoric.

I would say this of one of them; he is a rogue, a ruse, an untrustworthy and discrepant politician who rides on people’s misery. He makes no apologies for betraying trust, confidentiality and breaking bonds. He is incorrigibly dishonest; will hobnob with anyone who bids high and turn against them when it suits him.

Moses set the pace for unity through actions. It perhaps reflects his son’s mien; the stubborn will to go against conventional and popular political perception and set standards for others. Musalia has never pretended not to want to play big, except that he is pulled down by the small.

By standing for presidency, Musalia set the bar too high for some minors. They have to play catch-up lest they become politically insolvent. This is why he is the point of reference for detractors in Western.

The high-octane nature of tributes from Kibaki, Moi and the attendance of Uhuru, and high-powered presence of leaders from across parties led by Senator Amos Wako may be signalling to the Luhya community who is king; the reference point they must focus on if they hope to remake themselves as a factor in national politics.

The nuanced speculation of a new political movement in the region is after all not mere rumour anymore. The presence of all manner of party officials from across the region is a tell-all.

It should not be lost that Moi and Kibaki supported Mudavadi’s candidature; and barring last-minute interference, Uhuru had virtually handed the presidency to Musalia. It is telling that as long as Musalia is around, Luhya presence in national affairs will draw reference from him.

Let me dispel some misnomer that the occasion was pre-arranged to ask for a job for Musalia. Far from it; Musalia does not need a memorial costing millions or others to intercede and ask Uhuru for a job. All he needs is a mobile phone call or a walk to neighbouring State House.

In any case, at least he is doing something his distractors choose to hide; providing a forum for Luhyas to tell government they want their share of public appointments.

True, speakers pitched for public jobs for Luhyas at the memorial. I see nothing untoward in this. The property of the State is for all Kenyans and if the Luhya feel disentranced, they have every right to loudly complain.

It is hypocrisy for politicians to complain at funerals against discrimination in public jobs and then pretend they cannot ask the same of Uhuru. Who will they ask, Raila?