Politics,not for the faint hearted

Politics: a graveyard or a goldmine?
This may sound like some kind of political obituary, painstakingly following the trails of danger lurking in politics. Many have been lured to politics, leaving behind stable jobs/careers only to end in political graveyards, forgotten and miserable. Families have been left desolate, with resources plundered by big spenders chasing their political dreams. My sympathy goes to the families of those who have lost their lives serving our nation diligently, choosing to die for their ethical ideals rather than shelve their selfish interests. They are heroes who deserve plaques in their honor and do not merit being lamped with failed politicians dotted across the country with struggling careers.
Our politics is murky; it is not for the faint hearted. It may look like a path lined with gold, all the trappings of power, stardom yet Kenyan politics is not a bed of roses. I may not have had the opportunity to sit with the likes of Raila odinga, Samuel Somei Arap Ruto, Omingo Magara or President Kibaki but telling from their sullen faces, you can see pain, anxiety and a troubled mindset. Do they enjoy sound sleep, share time with their families and relatives? If I was to judge by the number of honorable members “resting” their eyes in the chambers, I can rightly conclude it is because of lack of sleep, pain and troubled brains. They are always fighting some battles, even in their sleep.
Kenyan politics can change suddenly and very rapidly, with close friends going for each other’s throat. Take for example William Ruto and Raila Odinga. The two enjoyed a close working relationship in the run up to the last election with Ruto vigorously campaigning for Raila across the country, including delivering a sizeable number of legislators and presidential votes to ODM from his backyard. When the presidential election results were bungled, Hon Ruto was the man to beat as he argued the case of his boss at KICC. Today, the two erstwhile friends do not see eye to eye, having differed on the best collective approach to adopt as a party on Mau reclamation and on the impending trial of the PEV suspects. They have literally differed on almost any national issue, reading from different scripts. I keep asking why and I know it will be long before I can put this question to rest. At the moment, we can only speculate.
Irrespective of the outcome of the referendum, it is most unlikely that Raila and President Kibaki will retain any soft spot for Ruto and his associates. For many in the No camp, the writing is already on the wall and they will have to work extra hard to re-invent themselves to remain relevant or risk being part of the political graveyard. A recent cabinet reshuffle was a veiled warning on the direction the two may adopt against renegade politicians who have joined the church to shout NO.
A few months, the country sympathized with Raila Odinga, aka Agwambo, Tingatinga. His political career was at its lowest, at its death bed. It was as if all dogs of war had been left loose to maul him. He was accused of hijacking project Mau, undermining the spirit of coalition government by demanding too much, and exceeding his powers by suspending high ranking government officers, powers which could only be exercised by the president. For once, I thought the man was on his way to Kibera, to make real his threats of going back to his people to set up a thriving bakery business. He survived the onslaught and today with his enemies scattered, he must be having the last laugh, temporarily enjoying the breathings space there disunity has brought. His ability to survive changing political times reminds me of the late Paul Ngei who represented Kathiani until illness robbed him the energy to soldier on.
Many have not been granted the proverbial nine lives of cat like Raila. Omingo Magara who until recently was a high flying politician had his political career jolted and scuttled by the court. A week ago, he was kneeling by the roadside, seeking the support of President Kibaki, a man he had vigorously campaigned against in 2007 to a point that he nearly lost his life to the menacing chinkororo youths at his own backyard. Omingo’s political career is at crossroads, having been alienated by his party the ODM, which he now finds himself faced with at the polls. Both sides have no kind words for each other, a sign that their friendship is lost, for now. It is for this reason that he was patiently waiting for the president’s entourage in Suneka, expecting a kind ward that would sway the crowd to his side. Omingo may be a victim destined for the political graveyard unless he can convince his people to grant him a new lifeline.
Where did Norman Kingangi Gathakari Nyaga, alias Kinara, the most powerful man in the country disappear to? His people of Kamkunji had great love for him; they were dying for his leadership. He made those who cared to listen that the people of Kamkunji badly needed his leadership and they could not do without him even when it was apparent he had sensed his powers evaporating. With all the powers bestowed on him by parliament and unlimited access he had to state house, all his friends in PNU ditched him when he needed them most. In the end, he did not have kind words for his own party, describing the PNU secretariat as “corrupt, incompetent and a club of mercenaries”. Nyaga exited the scene full or rage, angry as Kalembe Ndile handed him the last straw to hang on. Today, after a sojourn in TIP, his whereabouts is unknown and we are yet to know what happened to his excessive powers he was enjoyed. One thing is certain, if you travel the countryside, his political heart is deeply buried somewhere, waiting for a miraculous resurrection.
This piece cannot be exhaustive without looking for the skeleton of some powerful personalities who once walked the corridors of power. I recently heard that Hon Kituyu is trying to make a comeback after a short sojourn in the flower party. He did not like the scent of Roses and went back to resuscitate a struggling Ford-Kenya, a party that today is confined to Bungoma area only. What a way for one to reinvent a political career. He reminds me of one JJ Kamotho who hip hoped several parties in the last election, seeking an alternate party just for his name to be on the ballot. I know JJ Kamotho and Kituyu are not so lonely where they are. They have Hon. Kivuta Kibwana, Hon. Tuju and Hon. Murungaru to lean to when they feel too lonely.
For those flying executives with dreams to join politics, know what you really stand for before you paddle in the murky waters. If society has given you an avenue to serve people as a preacher, if you have a thriving business or enjoying your current work, you may want to re-evaluate the pressure from “people’ to join politics. You can serve people without setting foot in parliament and you will leave behind a rich legacy. My advice to those keen on joining politics is simple, look before you leap or risk joining the graveyard.
Patrick L Opondi,
Wasio Pacho.