Kenyans are woke; it's no longer easy to throw wool over their eyes

President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga after signing a political agreement at KICC, Nairobi, on March 7, 2025. [File, Standard] Lugari Member of Parliament Nabii Nabwera contends it would have been irresponsible of Raila Odinga to let President William Ruto's besieged government to fall, hence the justification for a memorandum of understanding (MoU). At best, this is a feeble attempt to throw wool over our eyes, but it won't wash. Two things attend presidential elections; continuity or fall of the sitting government. Other than the incumbent, everybody who contests the presidency has the intention of seeing the incumbent government falling, it is not to wish it well. Five times, that has been Raila's wish. Besides, the purpose of the 2023 ODM mass protests was to bring Ruto's government down. It failed, but being Kenya's Concessionist-in-Chief, Raila subscribes to a very simple rule: If you can't beat them, join them. His doing so over time, however, has never increased the ugali on our plates, except his. The MoU between UDA and ODM is not about Kenyans. It's an elaborate smokescreen for our political tormentors to continue lording it over us. Hyperactive Kenyan youth have vindicated the Swahili adage that "mjinga akierevuka, mwerevu yuko mashakani" which, loosely translated, means, 'let sleeping dogs lie'. The old guard is alarmed by Gen Zs wokeness and believes the MoU is a good lullaby to get them back to sleep. The MoU is premised on 10 key points crafted to benefit ODM while UDA loses. It must, like a snake sheds off its skin, drop some of its loyalists to accommodate the newcomers, which will cause resentment and fallouts. Raila's National Development party (NDP) joined Kanu in 2002, and the cock lost its ability to crow. Raila's ODM joined Jubilee Alliance in 2018, and it splintered, birthing a very bitter Ruto. Teaming up with ODM will cause UDA to wither. The Raila support base that Ruto banks on is wispy as Raila faces increasing hostility in his traditional strongholds. It will take very serious political manouvering for Raila to shake off the traitor tag after he turned his back on the youth and embraced Ruto in the heat of last year's Gen Z demos. This demographic no longer looks at Raila as its idol. Implementation of the NADCO report is central to the MoU. It seeks to address many issues, but all coalesce around the creation of two offices: Leader of the Opposition and Prime Minister. The beneficiary would be Raila. And as the duo pushes the inclusive government narrative, one wonders; who has so far been included in government if not just ODM? How many of Kenya's 45 tribes are represented in the Cabinet for inclusivity to assume a life? What about other political parties? Ditto critical parliamentary committees' chairmanship. A work formula between two political parties cannot protect the sovereignty of the people of Kenya. Which sovereignty when the people on Migingo island are at the mercy of Ugandan forces? Which sovereignty when Dassanech militia from Ethiopia walk into Kenya to kill, maim and abduct at will? What sovereignty when Al Shabaab stage raids into Kenya at a time and place of their choosing? The Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Force doesn't require an inclusive government to deploy the army to secure our country. We do not need an inclusive government to fight corruption. We must strengthen existing institutions like EACC, give them autonomy, power and enough funds to operate seamlessly. A majority of the victims of police brutality in Kenya are supporters of Raila and ODM. Many have died fighting for Raila because they have all along believed that his win in presidential elections has been stolen at least four times. The urge to compensate them stems from growing resentment against Raila and Ruto, not genuine compassion. Thus, talk about compensation is a way of trying to win back waning public trust. Is an inclusive government necessary to 'enhance leadership and integrity? What purpose, then, does Chapter 6 of the Constitution serve? Ruto should organise his government around pertinent issues and give them genuine attention. Everything else is meaningless sideshow. Raila should oversight the government from the opposition benches, not get cosy inside the government.

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