Raila role in coalition to boost civic nationalism
Published on March 21, 2008, 12:00 am
By Alberto Leny’
Kenya has attained a historic landmark after Parliament enshrined in law the power-sharing agreement between President Kibaki and Prime Minister-designate, Mr Raila Odinga.
This momentous occasion is expected to help wipe away one of the darkest chapters in 45 years of independence. The protracted and acrimonious battle between the two leaders and their camps has exposed how ethnicity continues to straddle the political landscape like a colossus.
The contentious elections, the bloody post-poll violence, destruction and displacement of people were a clear manifestation of how deeply ethnic divisions had entrenched themselves in the national political psyche.
Ethnic protagonism was once again at the forefront of a vicious political impasse resolved only through the intervention of the international community. The widely publicised political dispute and settlement mirrors the inescapable component of ethnicity in the nation-state, a highly emotive subject that continues to grip all ethnic communities in the country.
Kenyans are deeply attached to their ethnic identities and openly talk about them, especially when issues of politics arise. Many remain fiercely loyal to their ethnic communities even as they are acutely aware that the problems of poverty, unemployment and insecurity do not spare any citizen regardless of ethnic origins.
Despite ethnic differences, Kenyans have demonstrated an incredible capacity to be fiercely patriotic and nationalistic whenever and wherever the need arises.
The power-sharing deal between Kibaki and Raila took into account the serious ethnic differences, constitutionalism, the land question and the regional inequities that have characterised the political scenario since the attainment of Uhuru in 1963 and erupted like a pressurised hot-water bottle in January.
However, an arduous task lies ahead in the path to national reconciliation and healing. Matters of ethnicity again occupy centre-stage in continuing deliberations.
The parties have agreed to a truth and justice reconciliation commission as a major component of the long-term solution.
Apparently, Kenyans needed a "shock treatment" to appreciate the fundamentals of peace, justice, human rights, ethnic tolerance as key components of nationalism.
The aftershocks of the violence prompted riveted international attention and resulted in the mediation talks that led to the power-sharing arrangement.
As prime minister, Raila faces the daunting task of balancing the principle of ethnic/regional inclusion in the composition of a new shared Cabinet to give a fresh impetus to nationalism and enhanced democratisation.
His passionate mission has been to convince Kenyans that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) is a national party with members of Parliament from all over the country) that has a vision of positive change for all its peoples as portrayed in its manifesto, policies and development agenda.
The composition of the ODM team in the mediation talks represents the national outlook that Raila has so painstakingly built and includes Ugenya MP, Mr James Orengo, who has displayed a high sense of diplomacy and political tact in the talks.
As Raila’s legal pointman, Orengo is a major player in the drafting of the agreement for the grand coalition, a new constitution and the efforts aimed at addressing the historical injustices that threatened to tear the nation apart.
Raila, as PM, will seek to uphold the national stature he enjoys to make the power-sharing deal an instrument of change, justice, human rights and the socio-economic development.
Probably no other remark fuelled his determination to ascend to the country’s leadership than a careless assertion made in the early 1990s by a local politician that a Luo could never lead Kenya. The remark must have strengthened his resolve to prove how wrong and misconceived it was.
Through ODM, Raila became even bolder in his bid to disprove the harbingers of the insinuations in the remark. It reminded voters of the negative aspects of ethnicity and the numerous attempts by previous regimes to halt the march of democracy through repressive actions, greed and exploitation.
It generated a feeling of indignation and disbelief, invoking memories of dark chapters in our history, including the killings of Tom Mboya and Robert Ouko, and the detentions of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, his son, Raila, and Ramogi Achieng’ Oneko.
This unfortunate remark attracted condemnation from all quarters and instead of denting his image, galvanised Raila into national statesmanship. It also entrenched the near-fanatical support Raila enjoys from his community.
Raila has a deep-seated conviction that he can reform Kenya and bring positive change through a blueprint and process carefully groomed over a long time and which he has an opportunity to execute as PM in the grand coalition.
He has proved that he is a good organiser, listener and negotiator. It will be interesting to see how these qualities help in his new role as prime minister.
Will Raila and the grand coalition design and deliver an effective instrument of reform and change for the socio-economic transformation through ethnic and regional diversity, justice, respect for human rights and the equal distribution of resources to all corners of the country?
Only time will tell.
The writer is a journalist and a communications consultant
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