LOOK WHO THE KENYANS CHOSE!

LOOK WHO THE KENYANS CHOSE!

I have nothing against Uhuru Kenyatta. As far as I know; he is of famous lineage, of good American schooling and is terribly rich. That’s about all I know about him. In the public eye, he was basically absent until former president Daniel arap Moi brought him on stage. After a nondescript stint as a local government minister, a dramatic entry into centre stage waited in 2002. I remember former president Moi searching with a bewildered eye among his grovelling assistants only to settle on Uhuru Kenyatta as his chosen successor. The self proclaimed ‘Professor of Politics’ made a show of it; lining up all the wannabe-presidents from his party on a dais in a series of rallies across the country just to spring his choice on the voters. Back then few gave Uhuru a chance for high office.  He was just a novice with a big name and bags of money.

Today things are radically different. He is President-Elect. Save for a stint in the Ministry of Finance noted for its splurge on public projects, UK- as he is sometimes called- is not really a known quantity in Kenyan politics. It is said he assisted victims of the 2007 post-election violence in Kenya prompting his elevation to hero status in his native Central Kenya. Whether the same ‘assistance’ set him in collision with the International Criminal Court at The Hague is still in question.

Beyond the ridges of Central Kenya he is relatively unknown. In the fight against the 2005 Proposed Draft Constitution, he did make the podium alongside Raila Odinga and a host of famous names led by the late Martin Shikuku aka The People’s Watchman. Much as he was prominent, Uhuru was never at the forefront even though he was the Official Leader of Opposition. The forefront belonged to the so-called ‘Narc rebels’ who despite being members of government campaigned against its approved draft.  Narc, or the National Rainbow Coalition, was a hurriedly set up outfit designed to drive out the 40 year reign of Kanu. It was fortunate to harvest from the fallout within Kanu when Moi endorsed Uhuru as his successor.

After rejection of the 2005 Draft Constitution, Uhuru became a darling of the Kibaki regime as he brought his Kanu party to shore up the government in parliament. The rebellion in Narc had blossomed into a fully-fledged political movement dubbed Orange Democratic Movement. Come elections in 2007 Uhuru became probably the first Leader of Official Opposition on the planet to back the incumbent for re-election. I suppose he put the national-some would say tribal- interest first or he did not think himself fit to govern- at least, not then.

After much talk over whether Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka was best suited to succeed Mwai Kibaki, the late John Michuki put the matter to rest. Mr Michuki, put it that anyone seeking political favour from Central Kenya in the Kibaki succession had to seek Mr Kenyatta’s blessings. Kalonzo Musyoka spent the last year to the elections trying to win Uhuru Kenyatta’s favour. Kalonzo’s entry into the vice presidency and into contention for the big seat of course came via another fractious fight for control of the Orange Democratic Movement prior to the discredited 2007 elections. Like Uhuru in 2005, his party was drafted into government in 2008 to shore up Kibaki’s numbers against Raila Odinga.

 Unlike Moi who shepherded Uhuru before voters, John Michuki merely hinted which side the bread was buttered. As if to wash his hands of the matter, Mr Michuki quietly passed on leaving Kenya to grapple with his straight words. As fate would have it, Mr Kenyatta’s star glowed in Central Kenya dimming all others.  The matter at the International Criminal Court briefly threatened but eventually became a blessing when his fellow-accused William Ruto joined him in a political union against prevailing logic. The two are believed to have fought on opposing sides in the tribal war that broke out after the contested 2007 elections hence their presence before the ICC. The truce between them was the masterstroke that turned Uhuru Kenyatta into the man to beat at the 2013 elections.

I suspect Uhuru Kenyatta won the 2013 elections. What is in question is whether he was pushed to the finish line by a helping hand that saw his numbers past the mandatory 50 percent plus 1 vote limit. It should not be difficult for the Supreme Court to decide. I know how we got here, where, when, who and what but still haven’t a grip on the why.

Why would Central Kenya follow John Michuki’s word to the letter? It could well be they thought Uhuru was best suited to face down the bulldozer of Kenya politics Raila Odinga. It certainly is not because of Uhuru's chances elsewhere in the Republic. Otherwise, he would not mortgage half his presidential rights to William Ruto to secure a place in State House. It remains to be seen if the pre-election deal between William Ruto’s party and Mr Kenyatta’s party will be consummated as planned. Historically, Kenyan leaders never honour political deals. They are, as John Michuki would say, just a ploy towards a goal. I digress- Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta is the unlikely victor in the 2013 elections. Not because, as some allege, he stole the election but because he has not been a major voice in the national discourse in the last ten years. The discourse has centred on democracy, human rights, equality, justice, good governance, eradication of corruption and equity in development to name a few. That UK should triumph over Martha Karua after this long discourse probably tells more about Kenyans than Uhuru. No doubt his well-oiled campaign machinery brought home the message quickly compared to Martha’s. Raila’s counter-ethnic coalition of the minnow tribes stood little chance against the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru and Kalenjin voting machine. Uhuru Kenyatta brought home one hard reality about elections. Elections are about numbers- not ideals.