Mudavadi can claim credit for appearing to unite opposition

The year 2017 is going to be one of political entertainment as the country moves towards the August election. One such happening was the Musalia Mudavadi–led Nasa gathering that took place on Wednesday, January 11, 2017 at Bomas of Kenya. The choice of Bomas was well calculated because it has a symbolic political cultural value in the recent Kenyan past. The calculation was to show that “opposition” politicians and their parties can unite in the quest for power. There was a lot of hype and pre-event publicity that gave the impression that something momentous was in the offing. All types of media and commentators obliged. Although the planners made a good effort to put up a respectable political show, it was low-keyed, delayed for more than two hours, as aspirants for various political offices trooped in slowly awaiting their principals. A few people of influence showed up on time and some interacted with other early arrivals. Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana’s arrival was “quiet” and seemed to interact well with the media and other early arrivals. He admitted there were serious challenges in settling internal party and inter-party wrangles and gave limited hints of what might happen when the big event starts. Activist Ken Wafula was also there and seemed to agree that there were serious challenges. Wafula observed that the challenge to Nasa was not in choosing the presidential candidate but in the nomination fairness at the lower levels. Nominated Senator Elizabeth Ongoro arrived with cheer leaders singing about “Mama” and, accompanied by ODM Chief Executive Oduor Ongwen, gave a quick NTV interview repeating whatever the ODM line was supposed to be. All these were preliminaries to the “big event”.

DELAYED SHOW

There was no big event, partly because people called principals could not agree and had delayed the show at Bomas while reportedly locking themselves up in Raila Odinga’s Karen residence to discuss protocol. These were Amani leader Mudavadi, Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula, and Wiper man Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka. As they haggled, the silent competition played itself at the Bomas car park. Their followers, genuine and rough hangers-on, filled the Bomas car park with assorted regalia to drum up support for their supposed party and leader. There were also “supporters for hire” running after every car that appeared to have a mheshimiwa in it, demanded kitu and then scrambled over each other in case the mheshimiwa became generous. The most visible party group was the ODM team, dwarfing all others in being almost everywhere, merchandising Raila’s items, and in loudness.

A little liveliness picked up when “leaders” started showing up but there were noticeable absences. Usually vocal leaders such as Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto missed the big day. Omar, the Wiper Secretary-General and Kalonzo’s man, has made a lot of security allegations against Mombasa Governor Hassan Ali Joho, his rival in Mombasa power play. Joho, Raila’s man, was there and arrived in style, surrounded by a lot of “private” security running on the side of his car with some shouting “County Number 1”. Although Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat was there, instead of Isaac Ruto, to castigate and seemingly represent the anti-Deputy President William Ruto interests in Kalenjin land, it was not the same as the Bomet man.

WAS DISAPPOINTING

Inside the plenary hall, there was the usual and expected massaging of the faithful but it was disappointing. The disappointment was covered up in dancing entertainments where a “leader” stands on one leg and shakes the other while facing another “leader”, often as prelude to claims that the leaders were saviours of Kenya. While engaging in routine condemnation of President Uhuru Kenyatta, William Ruto and the Jubilee Party, the show missed the point of addressing the faithful inside and also those watching on television. In addition, it did little to persuade those who are not opposition fanatics or budding Nasa faithful. How would each of the aspirants ensure that his/her name is on the ballot for voters to decide, either by being a joint nominee or singly through the individual party? And who was going to lead the leaders, each talking of togetherness while eyeing the others suspiciously?

The Nasa show at Bomas was disappointing because it did not deliver but it was good for Amani boss Musalia Mudavadi, who is building a base for 2022. It is an investment in the hope of accumulating political capital, as the other players sideline themselves and each other. He can claim credit for appearing to unite the Opposition.

Prof Macharia Munene is a professor of history and international relations at United States International University - Africa.