By Jackson Omondi
Many, including this writer, wondered where the ENIGMA’S successor in luo land would come from. In the spirit of full disclosure, this writer, repeatedly lampooned RAO for failing to groom a successor in luo nyanza.
What I didn’t do, was go through my own writings, for the answers to my questions were right in those political prose penned eons ago!
In response to a question that has now become a chorus from those opposed to the ENIGMA, I was asked to layout a laundry list of Raila’s development record, or to rattle out the reasons why their favorite pinata (kibera), is still a slum despite the fact that RAO represented the greater Lang’ata constituency for almost two decades, to which I avered that RAO’ s constituency was way beyond Kibera!
Raila represented and still represents a constituency called Kenya. He is a rare leader whose calling to serve cannot be pigeonholed to a mere geographical station. Nobody goes to detention for ten years just to defend a tiny constituency called Lang’ata! This man set out to play for Kenya, his game cannot be compared to modern day political mortals whose value can be auctioned to the highest bidder.
“Asking Raila to table job numbers is tantamount to asking a fresh out of prison Nelson Mandela to table job numbers or asking the slain civil rights icon Dr Martin Luther King Jnr to table job numbers while we know that his cause was for the greater African American community as a whole. His efforts, paved way for an African American President of the United States and black Attorney Generals of the U.S. and many more,” I stated.
“In Raila’s struggle for a better Kenya, Lang’ata was just a vehicle to thrust him on the national stage but his mission and fruits of his labor are now evident. Devolution is seen in all parts of Kenya, including those areas where it’s a taboo to invoke the enigma’s name,” I argued.
And while we in the luo community wondered when and where the ENIGMA would pick and groom a successor, it is now clear that we missed the whole point by a mile and a half! A leader of RAO’ s stature has never been and cannot be viewed as a tribal leader! Even if we tried, who among the current crop of luo leaders on display has the chops to even pretend to come close to the enigma’ s national appeal? The answer is zilch.
That’s why it’s only fitting that a leader thus endowed, be replaced by another sharp, enigmatic,charismatic and captivating leader going by the name Ali Hassan Joho!
Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho repeatedly makes it clear that he cut his teeth under the tutelage of RAO and going by what we are seeing, it is clear that he is a darn good student! From humongous rallies to the enigma-esque reception he is getting around the country, Governor Joho is the most sought after politician.
And for Raila, who better to bequeath a gigantic political party to than a young, financially endowed and thoroughly charismatic leader who cannot be bought by a brown envelope that can consequently send Kenya’s largest political party to Weimar republic?
Raila can now traverse the country in peace knowing that a young, promising and politically savvy leader is right behind him. Oh, and if you were wondering where the next luo leader calculus ended, just take a look at all the leaders tailgating Governor Joho around the country. Better yet, ask Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero or Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma and Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o for they will have alot to say about that.
Governor Joho’s national appeal is ballooning by the day and in what is a clear signal that he is following in the footsteps of his mentor, Joho found time to meet Ker Willis Otondi, the chair of the Luo council of elders. Coincidence or planned? Your guess is as good as mine.
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