Was Odinga caught in Uhuru odds?

Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, left, and opposition leader Raila Odinga of the National Super Alliance (NASA) coalition shake hands after a joint news conference in Nairobi. (Photo internet) 

March 9, 2018: Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta and Right Honorable Raila Odinga made a golden handshake putting an end on their political differences. While reading the joint statement, Mr Odinga said that the political differences that divided Kenyans for more generations “must now come to an end”.

Raila Odinga, who was once a midfielder for Luo union football club, which is now popularly known as Gor Mahia, is one of the Kenyan politicians who have been in different political parties. He has been a member of National Development Party (NDP), KANU, Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and ODM.

In his political career, He has lost four presidential elections. He made his first attempt in 1997 but only emerged third after the then president Daniel Arap Moi.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and People's president Raila Odinga entered into cooperation agreement under mysterious circumstances. In eyes of many,  it was like a live shooting of film. But really what pushed these two gentlemen into talks?

Here is my analysis:

1) Uhuru legitimacy was critical: October 26,2017: Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner of a repeated election with a landslide win of 98 %. But with a critical turnout where over 55 % boycotted the repeated election. To be a president in the country where over a half of population oppose your policies it won't be an easy task for Kenyatta. As the president, he should do something so that he legitimizes himself and his government. Under this circumstance,  there was no other option rather than talking to Raila Odinga.

2) Uhuru government is broke: Political environment that followed August election threw the country into turmoil.  nothing works, Kenya's economy is down because of low economic activities. NASA's economic boycott is biting. Broke people are looting hops and supermarkets. Now business people can't invest because instability has created a fear for the future.

The uncertainty looms across the country as Raila Odinga threatens more political actions to bring down the government. So there is no other solution apart from talking to Raila Odinga.
This could have triggered the turn around of Uhuru to talk to Odinga because he has promised that there would be no dialogue with Odinga. And there would be no " Nusu Mkate" government, something he appears to be offering at the moment.

3) Kikuyus Interests: Politics in Kenya is based on ethnicity. Following the rigging of August presidential election, members of Kikuyu community has suffered a lot hatred from NASA members. Hundreds of kikuyus moved from NASA zones fearing their security. Kikuyu business people has enabled to conduct business outside Nairobi and central province. In Kituyi,  Kikuyu charcoal business was exterminated with the burning of Kikuyu lorries.

It is only possible to say that the situation was getting worse with no pressure on Uhuru.  Who could help unless He didn't talk to Odinga? On the side,  the meeting of Uhuru and Odinga under this circumstance has to be viewed in the context of a long term Kikuyu rebellion against the Government. When Uhuru didn't talk to Odinga, It could be possible that there would be some Kikuyus who would feel abandoned and start a rebellion against Uhuru government.

4) USA pressure contrubuted: For the US government, the situation was not just getting worry, it was threatening to get out of control after Odinga tamed The American ambassador, Robert Godec, by mobilizing supporters to talk tough and burn US flag outside US embassy in Nairobi.

The USA was watching Kenya sliding into anarchy chaos, After that the initial strategy of Ambassador Godec in stopping Odinga swearing in failed to work, The United States of America couldn't accept to lose its political,  economic and strategic capabilities that they have over other nations in Kenya.

Undoubtedly, the Uhuru-Odinga agreement was a time to reconcile before the arrival of former American secretary of state, Lex Tillerson,  in Kenya.

Uhuru and and Odinga signed a cooperation deal after their fallout following the hotly contested August 8, 2017 General Election and October 26, 2017 repeat presidential poll. Odinga now whose words are to secure justice, unity, peace, liberty and prosperity for all in order to revolutionalize the country demonstrated to be a too unpredictable politician.

Raila Odinga is known as a man who did everything possible to win the presidency. He signed political pacts and different  agreements but they all flopped because of him after that he didn't find expected interests.

In 2002, Raila Odinga signed a political pact with Daniel Arap  Moi but this pact didn’t last long, Raila led a furious walkout that brought Kanu to its deathbed when Uhuru was abruptly endorsed as successor by the outgoing Moi.
In the same year, He signed a political pact  with veteran Kisii politician Simeon Nyachae but Raila went against the pact at the 11th hour at Uhuru Park and supported Mwai Kibaki.

Today Uhuru and Odinga seem to be in political honeymoon but will this last longer?
Many to see.

God bless Kenya

End

About the author 

KARANGWA Janvier is a media specialist. He got a bachelor of arts in Journalism and communications from University of Rwanda,2017.

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