Is Uhuru Kenyatta Chauffeuring Raila to Political Siberia?

It is in no doubt that ODM leader Raila Odinga has dominated Kenya politics for decades. Currently, he is the only active politician who was detained, for long, by former President Daniel Arap Moi’s government. Raila revolutionary character has enable him bestrode Kenya politics, like a colossus, for long. Most of his political peers are either death or have retired from active politics. In Luo Nyanza, his peers who are active include Kisumu governor Anyang Nyong’o and Siaya Senator James Orengo. Nationally, there are no other notable figures who suffered the wrath of autocratic nyayo era.

Raila has always been at loggerheads with almost every government. Since his much hyped handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta, he has changed tact. Currently, the opposition leader is always careful with his choice of words. He no longer criticizes the president; however, he remains a strong critic of deputy president William Ruto.

The ODM boss has on numerous occasions lambasted Ruto for allegedly undermining Uhuru. On his part, Ruto has also been accusing the former prime minister in what he terms as a ‘sabotage of the government agenda with BBI politics.’

Ruto who has been peddling the ‘Hustler’ narrative as he seeks to succeed Uhuru, emerges as the possible 2022 top presidential contender. Odinga’s waning popularity is attributed to his handshake with Uhuru. Since the Harambee handshake, majority of Kenyans started perceiving him as ‘egocentric.’

This was the same government that Odinga’s supporters were made to believe stole his victory. This was the same government that tear-gassed and whipped Raila’s supporters while they were on the street. The handshake was a shock to most of Raila’s diehard supporters, including the author of this article.

BBI politics has had an enormous backlash in Uhuru’s region, prompting the president to marshal its support through the Sagana State Lodge meeting. In what appeared to be an indirect attack to those opposing the document, Uhuru elaborated that the report “is not for Raila’s benefit.”

Uhuru sentiments came in the wake of discomfort from a section of leaders who had written a letter explaining to the president that it was hard to sell BBI in Central region and that Mt Kenya people will never support Raila.