We can learn from Obama’s life and change the way we conduct our politics

When Barack Obama happened on the scene in 2004, I was a businessman in Atlanta, Georgia, and an active campaigner in the presidential bid of Senator John Kerry of Massachussetts. Mr Obama was fresh.

He was different, he was genuine. I must acknowledge, however, that there was a more compelling, better spoken, very confident young man that I admired and followed at the time — Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford Jr.

I love politics, always have, but in Kenya, politics is a dirty word, a dirty game. The means by which a select few play a poker game into power, to turn around and lord it over poor, hungry minions. At a young age, watching and learning politics under two most contrasting men — Daniel arap Moi and Bill Clinton — gave me the clarity of mind and understanding of issues that is priceless.

It is clear even to retrogressive cynics, racists, and enemies of President Obama that he has the Midas touch. Mr Obama is a true leader, a caring listener, a compassionate man at the core.

He beat all odds, confidently tackled the prickly and volatile issues of race in America, poverty, and the role of government early in his bid.

He came to the crest at a time when the economy had tanked, globally in fact, and with two big wars begun by his predecessor in Iraq and Afghanistan. Mr Obama followed through on his promises to find an exit strategy out of those wars, rebuilt the economy, and returned America’s lustre and position in the world.

He then went ahead to attempt what no president had achieved in 70 years: universal healthcare. After intensive campaigns and lobbying, the Affordable Healthcare Act was passed, bringing health insurance to 40 million previously excluded people.

Why is Mr Obama so successful? His magic touch stems from his authenticity. While most politicians thrive on calculations, insinuations, lies, bait-and-switch tactics, Mr Obama’s is a conviction from deep within, a position he reached after carefully thinking and researching to find that leadership is about service and that mankind can be improved, not only by prayer but also by actual work and sacrifice. Here is a man whose heart is in the right place.

Our political landscape has been dotted by wheeler-dealers, tricksters, comedians, gangsters and empty suits. And with devastating consequences. More than 50 years after independence, Kenyan Africans continue to live in desperate poverty, jobless, hopeless.

Campaign season is the theatre of the absurd. “Luhyas should now go to Jubilee…”, “ODM is our party, say Luo elders…”, “Leave us alone, say Kamba nation…”, “What’s the next move of the king of the Rift?” Naked ethnic mobilisation and tribal arithmetic has left our people confused, poor and disillusioned.

This ridiculous and backward practice, which is contrary to the Political Parties Act, assumes that it is okay for an ethnic chieftain to “eat” on behalf of “his people”. 

In Kenya, we have very few who are rich and powerful; the majority poor are mere spectators. Because of a painful colonial past and tyrannical single party dictatorship for many years, our society suffers a quiet and unspoken inferiority complex and cynical fear. While wananchi know corruption is wrong and bad, they worship and salute the corrupt.

They sneer at principled leaders and honest politics, right from the village to the floor of Parliament and in the corridors of justice. But this can change. It must change.

A mammoth crowd and peak interest can be expected on Obama’s visit. Everyone will be watching him and listening. It is a fantastic chance to speak to the soul of our nation. Our politics is rubbish. Our tribalism and ethnic suspicion is our cancer. It saps our energy and can take us nowhere.

One man can shatter this madness. President Obama is not here as a Luo. He is here as a respected and deserving world leader. He is a good man, a good father and a good husband. A good and rare politician.

We need 10 Obamas to move this country forward. We are here, we are ready. We are the change we have been waiting for.

Welcome to Kenya, Mr President!
The writer is the founder/director of ONE lobby group. [email protected]