By Jimm Bonie
There is a Luo proverb that goes, “once the mushroom has sprouted from the earth, there is no turning backâ€.
The political wind of change blowing across Nyanza can be contrasted to the sprouted mushroom. Listen to me cautiously; it is only the intelligent who evaluate a situation before making a move. On the other side, the feeble minded are champions at noisemaking.
I want to address you Hon. Dalmas Otieno. You have made a bold move. Only few politicians if none would attempt this in Luo Nyanza. Recently, speculations have been ubiquitous about you forming a new political outfit.
The rumors were however confirmed when you publicly affirmed your intent to form a political party. I want to talk to you honestly. I want to tell you my mind though I know that being a small man; my views may not matter to you.
Your choice has earned you plethora of ill-treatment and name calling. In the social media, you’re a subject of mockery. I can tell you for a fact that these are part of the organized bunch of hooligans waiting to take your dreams down.
Reference has been made to the likes of Tuju who tried but failed. His political life became problematic because his opinion went against that of Raila Odinga. At this stage, Miguna Miguna’s name pops up. Even though he was closest to Raila, he suffered the same doom when he differed with him.
If you connect the dots, some would plainly tell you that you are damned to fail. They will tell you that your political career will fall like the biblical Sodom and Gomorrah. They will refer to Tuju and Miguna as the best examples. In short, they have already envisaged your collapse even before you launch it.
Nonetheless I will bluntly advise you to go ahead with your aspiration. I believe you have scanned the political environment in Kenya and found a loophole. Fill it if you intend to. Don’t get dispirited by political goons who are waiting to cash in by violently attacking you.
For one, I believe you are a veteran politician. You comprehend the pros and cons of your move. I believe you are ready to meet the bloodcurdling challenges ahead. The battle you are facing will be fierce. Please, put your boots on and have the best weapons. May be, an Uzi sub-machine gun would do.
As I told you earlier, we have self declared vigilantes waiting to tear into your life and annihilate your political future. They will make sure you become nobody even in your village. They will baptize you with new bizarre names. Some of which you won’t stomach easily.
But don’t give up. Remember Jesus suffered the same treatment only to be praised latter. Pursue your vision without fear. Luos are known to be daring not cowards. I would advise that you do something great that will show your earnestness.
Our constitution guarantees the freedom of association. To add to it, Kenya is a de jure multiparty state. Anybody is allowed to form or join political party of their choice. This is what Raila fought for. Don’t let the noise from those sycophantic gangs dissuade you. You know that they thrive well in it.
There is however something you got to know. Don’t institute a party with a target of finishing Raila or replacing ODM in Nyanza. It won’t work. With this as your core objective, you are bound to fail. And you will fail appallingly.
To attract the liberal minded folks, don’t make Raila your subject. Veer off from that point completely. Come up with an agenda that will endear you and your party to the masses. I can tell you for gratis that Raila is here to stay.
Whether he take leave from politics or not, his opinions will still be dominant. You should therefore design a way of dealing with such complicated situations. But one thing that you shouldn’t consent to is the slipshod reference to failures by your enemies as the determinant of your performance.
Time has changed and I think that you will pull a surprise. If you come with an alternative leadership, be assured that success is foreseeable. In that case, go ahead and pursue your dream without fear. Straightforwardly tell off the noisemakers. Tell them to go to hell!!
The writer comments on topical issues