The mass exodus of politicians from Raila Odinga’s Azimio la Umoja only days after losing the presidential election confirms a sad case: Kenya has no watchdogs in politicians.
Although the Constitution guarantees freedom of association, the frenzy with which the migration is taking place is the perfect time to worry about values, including the age-old democracy rhyme that the minority have their way while the minority have their say.
The minority, when they have their say, are not mere pawns. Even the little birds looking for ticks disturb the elephant. Again, might is not about numbers, it is about organised effort.
It is probably the voice of minority that is called the Official Opposition that keeps the government in check.
It is the time to conclude that many politicians have been worrying about ‘our time to eat’ instead of focusing on the ideals of constitutionalism and public benefits as watchdogs, people representatives and lawmakers.
Two people have to think outside the box and be especially worried about their legacies on realising that pomp and pagenatry that come with trappings of office are the goals of many a politician.
Dr William Ruto, who becomes the President from September 12, 2022, should question the quality of people migrating to Kenya Kwanza instead of counting the numbers. One, his true lieutenants will feel alienated and accepting everyone is a threat to the Constitution and democracy. What’s more, giving such army of defectors roles, is akin to having square pegs in round holes.
Dr Ruto should welcome them, yes, but remain extremely careful before giving them any roles in his government because they will possibly hurt his journey of achieving the bottom-up goals.
Another politician who must have deep reflections on assessing his allies is Raila Odinga, who, in all fairness, has steered Kenya’s reforms and democracy ship, remaining in Opposition politics many years of his life.
For Odinga, although he is now reflecting on the journey and auditing the recent unsuccessful campaigns, he ought to self-praise as the engine behind the delivery of reforms in Kenya.
It appears he has been flying on one engine, taking into account the kind of allies he had, many of them now decamping when the wounds are still fresh.
For Kenya to benefit from A-plain (top) performance from politicians, there is a need to have a new crop whose focus is service delivery, not people who salivate for largesse in the name of joining the Executive while they opposed the incoming party only a few months ago.
It would have been better to wait, monitor Kenya Kwanza performance and decide. However, it would be better sticking with one’s election party and keep the government in check. That’s consistency. That’s A-plain peformance.
