May Fidel’s death be rallying point for a middle ground

The death of Fidel Castro Odinga is devastating to his entire family, particularly parents Raila and Ida Odinga, and his young widow, who is going to have a tough time raising their child on her own.

Fidel died at a time when all indications were that he was about to launch his own political career, following the path of famous relatives, including father Raila and grandfather Jaramogi Oginga. Death has, however, ensured this will not happen.

It is tempting to look at this loss to the Odingas in the context of the setbacks they have experienced in political life.

One could start with Fidel’s grandfather, Jaramogi, whose exertions as a freedom fighter placed him in a position to become the country’s first president if he had accepted the invitation of the departing colonial government to form government.

However, Jaramogi declined the request, explaining that the nationalist movement would not form the government until Jomo Kenyatta, then in prison, was freed.

In independent Kenya, the relationship between Jaramogi and Kenyatta was not cordial and Jaramogi’s suffering in the hands of Kenyatta, and then under Moi, was not befitting his legacy as a nationalist.
There is a pervasive feeling that Kenya never gave Jaramogi the recognition he deserved.

Although Fidel’s father, Raila, had the advantage of a famous name when he entered politics, few will argue that he is not a self-made man who has had to battle with many limitations to get to where he is now.

CEILING ON LUO POLITICIANS

Although Raila shaped the Moi succession battle with his “Kibaki Tosha” declaration, it was widely thought that he was not good enough for president because a glass ceiling on Luo politicians was thought to exist.

Battling under that limitation, Raila went on to show that the glass ceiling was only a myth. Some believe that he won the 2007 elections and that he did not lose the 2013 ones.

At the end of the Kibaki term in office, some thought that Raila was now owed, and that Kibaki needed to return to him the political debt of support. However, this did not materialise.

The old controversies surrounding the life and experiences of the Odingas, and the enduring grievances that these experiences represent, will acquire a new meaning with the loss of Fidel.

Parents always hope that their children will have better chances in life than themselves, but with the death of Fidel, Raila and Idah now know that their son will not have even the imperfect chances they had.

Fidel’s death raises questions like: Would he have died if his father had become president? Secondly, would the loss have been less painful if life had been kinder to his father, and grandfather before?

At one level, Fidel’s expected entry into politics was viewed as part of a long-term exit strategy from politics for his father.

If, as a result of all the setbacks, the Odinga family and the Luo community at large, feel victimised in Kenyan politics, the death of Fidel, a possible future political star, would not go towards making the family and the community feel any better, and would also complicate his father’s exit strategy.

DEATHS UNXPLAINED

Fidel’s death remains unexplained, as post-mortem results were inconclusive on the cause of death. There was already a long line of mysterious deaths involving the elite. The recent death of Otieno Kajwang’ was hardly explained. Attempts to explain the death of Mutula Kilonzo before that were, ultimately, inconclusive.

The cause of the plane crash in which George Saitoti and Orwa Ojodeh died has remained the subject of speculation. The death of George Thuo also left unanswered questions.

Presumably, Kenya’s political elite is interested in self-preservation. If so, getting credible answers about all these deaths would be of interest to them.

In the face of the devastation arising from the unexpected loss of a son, Raila and Idah have acted with an exceptional sense of responsibility. They have been brave and dignified, and this has helped avoid the kind of political trouble that their son’s death could so easily have triggered.

Still, the family needs and deserves answers, and the promise by the government to find the truth behind Fidel’s death is, therefore, most welcome.

On its part, the Jubilee Government, often so inappropriate in these types of situations, has also acted well.

CLOSE TIES

The President visited the Odinga family home in Nairobi and his remarks were both appropriate and compassionate, showing close personal ties among the country’s political elite.

Fidel’s death coincided with the jailing of university student “Lieutenant” Wadi, a social media warrior. Like many things nowadays, the country disagrees about what the correct response to Wadi’s conduct should be. While some regard his actions as a crime that must be punished, others, including the opposition Cord, see it as political victimisation.

To contextualise Wadi’s conduct, there exist equally strong opposing warriors, whose ugly and heartless responses to the death of Fidel, for example, shows that there is more than one side to whatever problem exists.

The death of Fidel Odinga can become a rallying point for the emergence of a middle ground where those committed to a genuine attempt at healing the deep divisions that afflict the country can make a contribution.

Former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka adverted to this and, as the President agreed to the suggestion, it is to be hoped that some dialogue can begin.

To the Odinga family, may God keep you and, and may time make you stronger, as you deal with your grief over the loss of Fidel.

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