Uhuru ‘power ceding’ idea, lesson to AU counterparts

News Analysis October 15, 2014 0

By Janek Sunga

Harry Truman, a former President of the US, once described the duty of the President as being the chief politician of a country. I am compelled to acknowledge that President Uhuru Kenyatta pulled out his best political move last week. I must say, I did not see it coming.

Uhuru pulled the rug from under the International Criminal Court. Rather than attending court as President of Kenya, he went to The Hague as a private citizen! It was the height of political shrewdness. The President kept our sovereignty intact.

The country rewarded his wisdom by rallying behind his decision. And the President’s estimation was really raised a notch higher in the eyes of his countrymen, including this writer. “The measure of a man is what he does with power”, so once quipped the Greeks. Power.

That one word. I have been thinking about it a lot lately. The measure of the man who is our President increased when he left William Ruto in charge as Acting President. It was not a trivial thing, despite what some pundits might have you believe.

Let’s remember Kenya is situated in a continent called Africa. A continent where power struggles at the highest levels have led to coups and civil wars. When Julius Caesar was asked to return to Rome and break up his army after many years abroad, what do you think he did?

He ignored the supremacy of the Senate and marched his army towards Rome. Caesar’s war campaign abroad had given him a taste of what he truly wanted to be: emperor of Rome. He got into Rome and was effectively its ruler.

Caesar represents the yearnings of most men. Uhuru chose a different path, and set an example. And I am hoping his supporters and friends emulate him. And here I am not talking about Wanjiku on the street. Though I would love for her to have learned this powerful lesson.

No, I am talking about some of the President’s most vocal supporters. If what I have been reading is true. If it were not for the Independence Day celebrations, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni would have accompanied Uhuru to The Hague.

Next time they meet for tea, Museveni should be free to ask Uhuru how it felt to willingly relinquish power. Museveni, and even (Rwanda President) Paul Kagame need to learn to let loose. Last week was a watershed moment. Kenya could be setting a trend.

Uhuru can use this as a teaching moment. The Organisation of African Unity was an old boys club. I believe the African Union is something of the sort, except now there are two grandmothers in there.The AU should be listening to President Uhuru and what he has to say about power. The writer is a Masters of Public Affairs student at Park University, Kansas City, US—janek.sunga@park.edu