Nuff Luv Raila: An Obituary to the ‘Young Turks’ of the Reform Movement in Kenya

Nuff Luv Raila: An Obituary to the ‘Young Turks’ of the Reform Movement in Kenya

I am not sure when the momentum for reform was lost in Kenya. I believe it happened long ago but only became apparent with Raila Odinga’s loss in the just concluded elections. In Uhuru Kenyatta’s own words, Raila Odinga has done his part and should take a rest. To those inducted into the political process by the clarion call for reform in the late 1980s, the fight is far from over.

Yet, by all indications the incoming regime does not excite as one too keen to deepen the gains made thus too far. The focus of the Jubilee Alliance has been on economic growth as a panacea to what ails Kenya. In some quarters, there are fears the Jubilee Alliance will actually water down the democratic gains of the Kibaki years. This concept is aided, perhaps wrongly, by the zealous way with which the Provincial Administration and the Police have approached issues of freedom of assembly and expression since the elections. It is instructive that the Alliance is not yet in power and the actions of the select public servants should not be misconstrued as reflecting the Alliance’s policy.

In the run up to the repeal of Section 2A of the old constitution, a motley crew of various persuasions rallied together. Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia Martin Shikuku and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga found common ground. They were the least likely of comrades. They hailed from different ideological leanings and had vastly different career trajectories. The former two were business magnets with stellar career histories in the government. Jaramogi was the old war-horse with socialist leanings. He had a history of run-ins with the establishment and was ‘persona non grata’ in much of official Kenya. Shikuku was an anti-establishment lawmaker who never tired to speak for the voiceless. Behind these mercurial gentlemen was a ‘school of professionals’ with sterling human rights credentials. Martha Karua, Paul Muite, Kiraitu Murungi, James Orengo, Kivutha Kibwana, Kijana Wamalwa and Raila Odinga rank among the most prominent.

It is this ‘school of professionals’ that was fated to inherit the mantle from the likes of Matiba, Jaramogi and the indefatigable ‘People’s Watchman’ Martin Shikuku. Hardly a step into their new-found prominence- they split. Almost to a man, they split into their tribal cocoons. I will say ‘almost to a man’ because the likes of Martha Karua or the other Martha known as Koome were more manlike than most men. The vigour and valour with which these fiery ladies pursued democracy put many men to shame. Yet they too could not stop the mill of tribal politics of the 1990s.

It was easy sailing for Kanu from then on. William Ruto was honed into politics by the vicious tribal edge of politics in the 1990s. He has not disappointed since. The dexterity with which he wove himself into Daniel arap Moi’s seat as King of the Rift Valley amazes me. Moi, of course, only wanted him to play second-fiddle to his son Gedion. Ruto had other ideas.

Dazzled by the skill and resources available to Kanu, ‘The Young Turks’ as they were known trouped out in their tribal colours. Unbeknownst to them; they actually dug their own political graves. Probably, they hoped to beat Kanu in its own game- the Game of Tribal Numbers.

A few, like Kivutha Kibwana held out briefly only to succumb by not only running for office in his native Ukambani but by also following the political grain in the region. When he appeared to defy the grain in 2007 he was not re-elected. Anyang Nyong’o tried to steer his ill-fated Social Democratic Party into the storm that was the National Development Party in Nyanza Province. The SDP took in much water as result. Its crew of Charity Ngilu and Nyong’o floated off in different directions.

The Pillars of the Second Liberation ended up playing second fiddle to the Kanu Princes. Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, William Ruto and latterly Uhuru Kenyatta were the princes of the Kanu hierarchy. It is they and not the ‘Young Turks’ that had their hands on the pulse and purse of the nation. Their nod was good for money and any man.

To their credit, no less than three of the former ‘Young Turks’ made it to the finals in the race to succeed the Independence Generation presently represented in power by Mwai Kibaki. Martha Karua, Paul Muite and Raila Odinga were among the more recognisable candidates to make it to inaugural presidential debate. The other stars of the night were Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi- darlings of the Kanu establishment. If Mwalimu Mohammed Dida stole the show on the night it was essentially from those who wrote the script for the great debate- the warriors of the Second Liberation. They gave their all for Kenya to be on a stage such as was laid out for the inaugural debate.

Unfortunately, the disunity of the former ‘Young Turks’- now grandmothers and grandfathers- was on stage for all to see. Despite their incredible achievements; jointly and severally, the former ‘Young Turks’ do not see eye to eye. The most menacing of their glares is reserved, not for the Kanu heirs, but for fellow ‘Turks’. Muite was particularly menacing in his glare but Martha was not far behind in shining a steely stare every time Raila claimed credit for something. Raila did not mince any blame he had for either of his fellow ‘Turks’. Each was fighting for her own place- just as they had done for years. Their squabbles gave room for the Kanu Princes to emerge as a polished alternative. Oiled by their association to ‘old money’ and solid ethnic bases the Kanu Princes can swim the length and breadth of Kenyan politics forever. Perhaps only Raila can match them in mobilisation skills but not shilling for shilling.

Raila’s rise to prominence among the ‘Young Turks’ came off the solid tribal base he inherited from his late father Jaramogi Odinga. He has since had to fend off accusations from his peers that he is little more than a tribal chief. The cannibalistic nature of tribal politics has seen his fellow Luo firebrand James Orengo tone down to be in tandem with the reigning ethnic dynamics. Raila was exceptional- raiding territory well outside his ethnic base. Probably this makes him a much-feared man in pro-establishment circles.

The other ‘Young Turks’ were never sufficiently embedded with tribe as to take the reins of chieftaincy. They were mere pawns to the powers in their tribal kingdoms. This is especially true for Muite as it is for Martha. In their native Central province they are political wafers to be blown wherever the wind blows. Not even Raila Odinga could forge ahead without help from the Kanu heirs. The dalliance with William Ruto, his on-and-off ties with Kalonzo or his recent separation with Musalia all tell of pivotal role the Kanu heirs play in Kenyan politics.

Raila Odinga’s loss and the departure from centre-stage of the former ‘Young Turks’ will likely change the national discourse. Possibly, the discourse will shift from democracy, equity, and good governance to the so-called ‘politics of development’. The passing of this querulous but still remarkable generation of leaders from politics will not be a mere change of guard. It represents a change of ideology. Whether ordinary voters appreciate the sea-change is debatable. As the Kiswahili saying goes,’Jongoo na mtiwe mtupe’ (i.e. Throw the millipede with its stick). Voters may have thrown out the former ‘Young Turks’ together with their agenda. This will become apparent when ‘development issues’ take precedence over all other matters. We have been there before- in the Kanu years.  As things stand, the ‘Young Turks’ have no ready heirs.