MEMO TO GOVERNOR HASSAN JOHO
By Jackson Omondi
In light of the revelations that some forces are hellbent on throwing a monkey wrench on your efforts to effectively deputize the enigma, it is now incumbent on you, to nip these misguided efforts in the bud.
This memo will layout the necessary steps that you can take in order to decisively put an end to this unnecessary imbroglio. Your Excellency Mr Governor, welcome to the major league of presidential politics!
Your triumphant political tours, left many wannabes scratching their heads and as you may recall, the political bedwetting begun way before you painted Nairobi in Orange colours. Letters purporting to restrict your movements in Nairobi were disseminated, ostensibly to prevent you from endorsing a certain candidate for Lang’ata parliamentary seat.
Apparently, that was just a doppelganger out to test the waters and now they are overtly carrying out their mission. So who are these amigos? First of all, the lead actor is an MP from Gem, a man who wouldn’t rate a mention if it weren’t for the enigma and the marionette is essentially the emblem of the 2013 electoral clusterf@$k.
The simple fact that they chose a vernacular radio station as the launching pad for their “Raila is giving the Party away to the Arabs” innuendo clearly shows that they are desperate. This is the time to unsheath your sword and go for the “kill.” You must remember that when it comes to party politics, party interests must come before democracy! You are more important to ODM than the two culprits. You are the deputy party leader with managerial latitude, take zero options off the table.
Since we know the electoral history of the lead guy, kindly revisit the ODM nomination results of the past contest and covertly sponsor the runner-up. The perpetrator, pitted against you, cannot hold his own in a coin race. Make him sweat. Oh, we also know that he is eyeing the Siaya gubernatorial seat, this, effectively means that you have more openings to land clear and more fatal blows.
The emblem of the 2013 electoral incompetence does not deserve your attention. He is yet to win an election, thus, responding to him directly will be tantamount to elevation and unnecessary publicity. I believe that you have able aspirants who will floor him by 10 am.
Back to the ambitious kamikaze. It’s preposterous to frame ODM as a luo party and this is where this guy wants to take the Party. He just can’t believe that a man from the Coast is a heartbeat away from the mantle of Kenya’s largest party! Well, he is too late and this is where your managerial acumen and charisma – the two qualities that have catapulted you to a visceral connection with the party’s rank and file – must continue being instrumental in charting the way forward. So, keep on stumping for party candidates.
Keep on playing hard. The people are with you. Those acting surprised and peeved should explain to the rank and file where they were when Jubilee was carpeting the country with their colours, they should tell us what they have done for the party by way of fundraising and they should also enlighten us on their contributions to the party’s posture. How many national party events have they organized?
It’s one thing to be related to the enigma and eternally hang on his extensive coattails enroute to electoral victory, but investing in the party is a whole new ball game. In your parlance, it’s about “kujitolea kwa hali na mali.” The Gem politician has done nothing for party and the members know it.
I urge you to borrow a leaf from RAO’ s playbook.
For RAO to become RAO, big names had to go. While the political luminaries of yesteryears relied on reputation and titles to buttress their political gravitas, RAO went for the hearts and minds of the voters and before they knew it, the voters consigned them to oblivion.
You have won the hearts and minds of many voters across tribal lines, a rare feat within such a short time. Pull all the stops to ensure that you retain the support while you cultivate ahead. Those yelling from the rooftops cannot a pull a crowd beyond Gem constituency. Confine them to Gem! Make them work overtime for Gem votes while you play in the major league.
They are playing the luo-card and it will not work. Luos understand that ODM is the only party in Kenya that boasts an impeccable mosaic of a national party. Luos, together with several like-minded ethnic groups, are on record with distinction, as having backed a non-luo for the top job. Heck, this writer is a luo!
In a nutshell, ODM’ s rank and file is firmly in your corner. Do not step on the breaks.
In conclusion, bring back the Joho that delivered the Malindi by-election, that’s the Joho that must come to the fore and slay these wannabes who are busy salivating over what they can’t handle.
In you, voters can see a template on how to lead and you have repeatedly shown that. It’s that trait and the subsequent connection with the voters that has made you a marked man. This is just the beginning, more will come in different shapes and forms but you must stay the course. Its now clear that your presidential ambitions are rubbing people the wrong way. But that’s all the more reason to keep on marching
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