Men who shaped our politics and are likely to continue

Their names easily ring a bell in people’s minds. They have been and are involved in a thing or two concerning Kenya’s politics. And in 2010, they are expected to feature prominently in the unfolding political events. Mention Luis Moreno-Ocampo, Raila Amolo Odinga, Kenneth Otiato Marende, William Samoei Ruto, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta, and Peter Kenneth and what comes to mind is how they are shaping the country’s politics.

For instance, when Moreno-Ocampo, the International Criminal Court chief prosecutor, visited Kenya recently, Kenyans saw his coming as a sign that perpetrators of the post-election violence would be brought to justice.

Tourism assistant minister Cecily Mbarire was quoted at a rally in Meru shortly before Moreno-Ocampo’s arrival as saying, “I am very happy to know that Ocampo is on his way here because we need justice”. Ocampo said his task was to hold to account people suspected to have planned and financed the 2008 post-election violence.

On the spot

Prime Minister Raila Odinga is again at the centre of national attention especially in the face of the unfolding political alliances, with a section of his Orange Democratic Movement party led my Agriculture minister William Ruto publicly criticising him.

The two have been pitted against each other by key national issues including their positions on how suspects of the post-election violence should be handled as well as the eviction of people from the Mau Forest water tower.
Both are on record as successful political fighters. The PM has previously been quoted as saying he was committed to keeping the grand coalition alive until the 2012 General Election, an indication that he is ready to battle it out for the top job again.

Mr Odinga’s landmark moves include leading his National Development Party (NDP) into a shortlived marriage with Kanu, which saw him become the ruling party’s secretary-general before he staged a walkout with several ministers.
His task now involves cultivating a national image while maintaining his grip as the ODM party leader.

In September 2002, Mr Ruto, then minister for Home Affairs, called on Mr Odinga, then his Cabinet colleague who was leading a rebellion in the ruling party, to resign as Kanu secretary-general. Mr Ruto told Mr Odinga to pave the way for then minister Julius Sunkuli to take over since his (Mr Odinga’s) subscription to the ideals of the National Rainbow Alliance showed he had no confidence in Kanu.

Mr Ruto was backed by Kanu legislators dubbed “Young Turks” who included former Comptroller of State House Franklin Bett, minister William Morogo, assistant ministers Musa Sirma, Raphael Kitur, Christopher Lomada, Samuel Poghisio, Samuel Moroto, Mohammed Shidiye, Mohamed Affey, John Marimoi, David Sudi, Stephen Mukangu, and Ekwe Ethuro.

Rebels asked to quit

Today, it is the Prime Minister asking Mr Ruto and other disgruntled ODM members to leave the party and even the Cabinet. Tourism minister Najib Balala is also in the mix. Mr Ruto has had his political fights. He was to part ways with Kanu and then party chairman former president Daniel Moi and go ahead to campaign against the Moi family and friends with convincing victory.

In the last elections, Mr Ruto led an ODM political campaign in the Rift Valley that saw the defeat of Mr Gideon Moi in Baringo Central and other candidates thought to enjoy Daniel arap Moi’s backing. This, and the role he played during the negotiations following the disputed presidential election results in 2007, earned Mr Ruto a place of honour in the country’s national politics. He galvanised a huge part of the Rift Valley vote in support of Mr Odinga’s presidential bid.

Jurist of the Year

Another person to watch is the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Kenneth Marende, whose election on January 15, 2008, after three rounds of voting, was celebrated countrywide. Mr Marende has not disappointed.

In October this year, he was elected President of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) at a conference in Arusha, Tanzania. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association brings together MPs from the Commonwealth to discuss issues of good governance, human rights and democracy.