The glamour and splendor witnessed at the Kasarani Sports Complex during the inauguration of Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta as Kenya’s fourth President is living evidence of where Kenya stands and where it is headed. Past, present and future generations were represented at the all important ceremony.
It was great seeing two of Kenya’s living retired Presidents; Daniel arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki sit side by side in a peaceful transition from one generation to the next. This is a first for Africa.
This picture would have been more iconic had former Prime Minister Raila Odinga behaved responsibly by attending the inauguration. Instead, he opted to leave the country rather than watch Uhuru take the oath of office.
Raila's absence did not cause any hiccups, breach of protocol or even dampen the carnival mood at the stadium. It did not deter friends of Kenya and foreign diplomats; including those from major Western countries from recognising and gracing the installation of Uhuru as the democratically elected President of Kenya. Ironically it seemed to suggest that Kenya is ready to move on with or without Raila Amolo Odinga.
The inauguration of a President is a national event. It is not just about the person being sworn into office but rather an opportunity for sworn political enemies to put their differences aside in the spirit of “country first.”
It is a one day event that has a country united. Attending Uhuru’s inauguration would not have killed Raila no matter how hard he took the March 4 shellacking and the subsequent Supreme Court validation of Uhuru’s election three weeks later.
It is difficult to comprehend why Raila would decide to leave the country at such a time. There are only two logical ways to explain such display of poor judgment: First, Raila may have hoped to steal the thunder from Uhuru’s moment with possible headlines screaming “ODINGA SKIPS KENYATTA’S INAUGURATION.”
Wish granted but so what? Second, Raila might have taken the unexpected potential end to his political career so hard that he did not wish to breakdown in public.
Or is it possible that Raila, who has been acting strangely lately is in South Africa seeking medical attention? The last scenario would be unfortunate considering that he has contributed a lot to the current state of affairs in Kenya.
Whoever is advising Raila, assuming he actually listens to advisors is goofing big time. By refusing to concede defeat, trashing the electoral commission, holding ridiculous campaign like rallies weeks after the elections, dismissing the Supreme Court’s decision and likening himself to Jesus Christ before eventually fleeing the country to avoid the inauguration of his competitor, Raila has confirmed every stereotype that has existed over the years about him. Remember the electoral commission lawyer’s warning to the Court that Raila would not accept its decision?
It is unfortunate that a man who has played such a critical role in Kenya’s path to democratisation has reduced himself to a sulking sole loser. Right now, Raila sees ghosts in every bush he passes by.
Uhuru and Ruto are “criminals”, the IEBC is “corrupt”, Mutunga's Supreme Court is “unfair”, the media is “biased” and you bet the next thing we will hear from Raila is that Kenyans and the International community are all part of the conspiracy to rob him of the election he “won” by polling almost a million votes behind President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Raila had a choice to go out with dignity or drag himself through the mud. He seems to have chosen the latter. He has turned down, or at least not responded to President Uhuru’s extension of an olive branch.
He continues to make reckless statements as if the campaigns are still on. He behaves as if the six million plus votes Uhuru got do not mean anything. Further, he has clearly shown that he is not a respecter of institutions and will say anything that suits his interests at that moment.
Raila has also deliberately chosen to ignore his new reality which simply means he does not hold any public office as of April 9, 2013. Is this a case of selective amnesia or a deliberate effort to speed up his slide into the abyss of political oblivion?
As Raila exits the scene, Kenyans ought to remember that he has a place in Kenya’s history. His place is guaranteed as long as he ceases shooting himself in the foot. Raila is clearly his own worst enemy and all that he has lived for will go down the drain. Let us all save Raila Amolo Odinga from himself!
Timothy Kaberia is a consultant on African politics/culture and former VOA broadcaster based in Washington D.C.
However, when one is invited to a function, one will either attend or not attend. RAO and his followers have a right to choose what the felt appropriate at the time - Mashariaz Gitonga.
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