Long trek, hours of hopeful wait by ecstatic crowd

Many of the men at Uhuru Park Tuesday showed up in rugged shoes, a sign that they had literally walked a long way to get there. Metaphorically, however, they were expectant that from here, they would make their way to a better place. They were there for only one merchandise: Hope.

“The price of unga was Sh90 yesterday,” chanted one, justifying his presence at the historic grounds. “Tomorrow it will be Sh120.”

HUGE CROWD

Some had showed up as early as 6am, filling the expansive grounds over time. By 2pm, Uhuru Park was a sea of humanity. You could count the wrists with watches. However, everyone appeared to have time on their hands. And they were patient, waiting for the ‘swearing-in ceremony’ of Mr Raila Odinga, the Nasa leader, who has challenged the legitimacy of President Uhuru’s election victories in the two presidential polls held in August and October last year.

A young man mentioned Uhuru in a conversation with his friends.

“Why are you talking about Uhuru?” One of his friends asked. “We have our own president.”

Another opined that there was no way President Uhuru could have garnered seven million votes in the repeat election.

“Angetoa wapi? (Where would he have gotten them?)”

He was speaking for himself but voiced the sentiments of many in the huge crowd that filled the park in the collective quest for electoral justice.

The day was hot. The small groups of people dancing and drumming occasionally kicked up clouds of dust. A man in dreadlocks lit up a joint, sparking a protest.

“Respect us and we will respect you,” those around him protested. But he went on, inhaling toke after toke until his joint was a mere stub.

Every time a guest made his way to the podium, the crowd rose to its feet in unison to welcome the new entrant. From the back of the park, near the flag hoisted on August 27, 2010, to commemorate the inauguration of the Constitution, it was difficult to see who was making his way to the podium.

But when Mr Odinga’s convoy made its way in, like boats riding the crest of a sea of humanity, there was great animation in the crowd. The men whistled. The women ululated. The young men blew into their coloured vuvuzelas. Fists were thrust in the air. Hands waved all across the expansive grounds.

“Amefika! (He is here!),” shouted one.

 A balding man in his late 50s received a call on his mobile phone.

“I am at Uhuru park to see baba (father),” he told the caller over the din of the celebrations.

Soon, Senator James Orengo was on the microphone, inviting Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho to invite Mr Odinga for the ‘swearing-in.’

From the back, it was difficult to fathom what was happening on the podium. But Mr Odinga took hold of the oath that he had just read and signed. There was great cheering.

The troublesome public address system came back to life and you could feel the disappointment of the audience when Mr Odinga said that his running mate, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, would not make it for the ceremony.

DEMOCRACY

Some in the audience rose to their feet and started walking away as Mr Odinga thanked the people for their patience and resilience in their quest for democracy.

“It would have been better to swear in Musalia Mudavadi,” said one man as he headed for the exit. Others nearby started walking after him.

“What has Kalonzo done now?” Muttered another. “Businesses had been closed down for this ceremony.”

In under six minutes, the ceremony was over. The rugged shoes started making their way towards the city centre.

Few talked about the oath. The question on the lips of many was: Where was Mr Musyoka? Some did not know it just then but Mr Mudavadi and Ford-Kenya leader Moses Wetang’ula had not shown up for the ceremony either.