It is so sad that at this time in history, at this defining moment, when Kenya is struggling to come back to national cohesion, Hon William Ruto is spoiling for war.
At a time when we need national leadership to stabilize Kenya and foster national healing and reconciliation, Hon Ruto is spoiling to start another front that he might not finish; fighting the Rt Hon Prime Minister.
Why is Ruto spoiling for war? Why is Ruto busy pulling the country back to those uncertain days? Why is Ruto engaging Kenyans to threats and innuendos?
Is it really the Waki report or Ruto is being used to fight other peoples wars?
I want to take a look at all these issues and let Kenyans decide for themselves whose wars Ruto is fighting.
Right from the Referandum of 2005, Kenyans saw some potential of leadership in the young men who joined Hon Raila in championong the No campaign. In Ruto, Kalonzo and Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenyans saw some promise that could take Kenya to the next level. When Uhuru abandoned the ODM dream and went to PNU, Ruto maintained the national mantle that made him look at Kenya beyond tribe. Uhuru became boxed on the tribal thing and his quest for national leadership went with it.
Kalonzo played his script to the letter and the rewards can be seen.
When Raila assembled a national team to champion the ODM cause, Ruto was a darling of many by defying the status quo advocates. He became a hero in the eyes of many by his strong support for ODM and when things went topsy tavvy at KICC, Ruto stood tall. He was amongst the millions who knew that ODM had won convincingly, and Raila was poised to be the next president of Kenya.
When the forces of status quo politics denied Raila the presidency, Kenya erupted into chaos. No one was called upon that evening of 31st December 2007 to go to the streets. It was a spontanious reaction from all ODM supporters across the country. We all saw that our win had been stolen from us. We did not need anyone to tell us to go demonstrate.
Many people lost their lives, property was burnt and people displaced.
But later in January 2008, after a fund raising presided over by leaders from central province, Luos were attacked in late January in Naivasha in the only massacre that was planned and presided over by politicians. Many of them were mercilessly killed in an organized revenge attacks. Mark you that no Luo had killed any Kikuyu in Nyanza when violence had broken out earlier in the year.
The attacks of the Luo in Naivasha was the only case of organized reprisal attacks that we know of. And this should have made all Kenyans comfortable with the findings of the Waki report. Anything to the contrary cannot be acceptable, for we all witnessed this. We also know that the police killed many more Kenyans and yet, not even a single cop has been arraigned in court except the one that KTN caught on camera in Kisumu.
This is a case that should have made the Hon Ruto alot more comfortable with the Waki report. Unless he knows something that we do not know.
If that is the case, then what is Ruto afraid of, or, why is he spoiling for war?
The truth then dawns that Ruto could be fighting another war that could be related with the succession politics. Ruto is placing himself to be a free agent.
This is the time that we need leadership to help stabilize Kenya. And so far, The Rt Hon Raila is taking the flack for showing leadership. Raila must stand strong and firm on all the issues at hand for Kenyans are watching, and we can tell the difference.
First, Kenya Ports Authority is a national institution and its MD can be any Kenyan. The MD must not of necesssity come from the coastal people. Just like anybody from Coast Province can be appointed to head any parastatal anywhere else in the country. President Kibaki’s silence on this speaks volumes. He is being indecisive and cunning as always. It is only Raila who has boldly delved into this and stood up strong. That is leadership.
Second, the issue of Mau is of national importance. All the people who messed Mau, former President Moi, and the current president are all silent and again, their silence speaks volumes. Rt Hon Raila is again the only leader who has come up strongly to say that Mau ought to be conserved. He has done this at the risk of loosing support from some of his supporters. But this is an issue that calls for leadership and again, it is only Raila who has demonstrated that he has the interest of the people at heart. This is leadership.
Third, Raila has not been that greedy to engage President Kibaki about his share of the 50% of Government despite pressure from his supporters. He must now demand his 50% share in government because President Kibaki is showing bad faith in the implementation of the National Accord. Kibaki is busy setting up Raila for failure while blowing cold wind at his feet.
Raila is cleaning the mess created by other people and in the process, he comes up stinking. But after bathing, we must all welcome and appreciate the work he has done. Kenyans are a lot more wiser. We can see who is setting who up and for what reasons.
Kenyans from all walks of life must join Raila in cleaning the mess. Thereafter, we will all appreciate the Kenya we will bequeth our progeny. We cannot play politics with such serious issues, and we must not engage in threats and meaninless innuendos.
The Ruto explosion can be seen from this point of view. Attempts are being made to disintergrate ODM so that Raila never ascends to the presidency. Ruto ought to see this clearly, but if he cannot see these things in their proper context, then he can as well kiss goodbye to ever being the president of Kenya.
We need leaders who can stand up and make tough and unpopular decision which are for the benefit of the country. Not leaders who ran back to the village to weep tribal support.
These kind of ping pong games are the issues that will not help create national healing and reconciliation. All Kenyans of goodwill must look at the national issues critically and place Hon Ruto where he belongs.
Perhaps his youthful exhuberance and lust for power is coming out a bit too early. We all had faith that one day he could be the President of this country, but if he cannot see things from the national prism, he is better remaining a tribal kingpin.
Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi.
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Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 22:20:13 -0800 [12:20:13 AM CST]
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Ruto spoiling for war
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Oketch,
I beg to respectfuly differ with you. William Ruto is one of the most brilliant and outspoken politician this country will ever have. May I recall your attention that Raila has completely lost direction and he is only interested in silencing this youthful brilliant politician. The PM is such a selfish politician in my eyes. I am not sure why he is not on the secret list and you and me understand that he should.
Kindly spare Ruto all these mud you are throwing to him unless you are a man who has been send. Ok?
Wamalwa
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Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:07:57 +0000 [01:07:57 AM CST]
From: Fredrick Wamalwa
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war
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Fred,
Convince me on that. I am open to discussion on this.
Leadership is not easy and we must avoid the easy way out. Leadership means making and taking painful actions for the benefit of the led.
Raila has consistent shown that; at KPA, Mau, Waki report etc. What has Ruto got to show for leadership except whinning back at the village, trying to set his people against Raila?
Secondly, we all know that Raila has not received his 50% share of this government. I thought Ruto and company could be more interested in helping Raila to get that instead of running away to bed with the conspirators.
It will not work. He will be used. And he will be dumped.
He is better off with Raila and Mudavadi.
Odhiambo T Oketch,
Komarock Nairobi.
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Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2008 23:25:15 -0800 [01:25:15 AM CST]
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war
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— On Sun, 11/16/08, Robert Alai wrote:
From: Robert Alai
Subject: [KOL] Re: Ruto spoiling for war
Date: Sunday, November 16, 2008, 10:24 PM
Odhiambo
I disagree with you on this. Raila must know how to respect others.
People fought for him and now he is saying that people are stupid and must carry their own cross.
Raila is the mjinga here and we will surely fight him if he thinks that what Kenyans did was for someone else.
this is politics and its sad how Raila is making many Kenyan Luos to contact HIV by telling them that they circumcise and without telling them that its not the ultimate defense. People now are trying their dicks left right and centre. My brother who is a doctor in Kisumu is telling me how they see the HIV statistics rising.
Its sad and we must come out and condemn Raila for what he is. A fraud. a complete fraud.
Alai
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— On Mon, 17/11/08, odhiambo okecth wrote:
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war
Date: Monday, 17 November, 2008, 9:43 AM
Robert,
Convince me with facts.
With all due respect, we must learn to respect our leaders at all the times. I might not be an avid fan of Mzee Kibaki, but given that the National Accord gave him the presidency, he effectively becomes my President and therein earns my respect.
I will point out his conniving ways with all respect, just like if Raila does not get it, I point out.
Respect for all our leaders as we disagree with their ways is, to me, a better way of handling issues.
Again, I like supporting all my arguments. I put forth a reason and support it.
Raila could be having his weak sides, but when it comes to offering leadership, we must all accept that he has stood firm and shown leadership despite being short changed after the National Accord.
We all know that Mau ought to be conserved. Why cant Ruto stand firm on this? Why must he use it to weep tribal support?
Time has come for all Kenyans to demand honesty from all our leaders. If you sign a deal to share power, do just that. Do not use people from the opposing side to settle scores, therein, blurring our vision by throwing squirrels along the way.
Odhiambo T Oketch,
Komarock Nairobi
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— On Mon, 17/11/08, Fredrick Wamalwa wrote:
From: Fredrick Wamalwa
Subject: Ruto spoiling for war (FACTS).Theoretical and conceptual facts
Date: Monday, 17 November, 2008, 10:29 AM
Robert,
You were reading my minds and thanks for the sanctity and composure of your massage below. Raila fears competition. Raila does not think straight. Raila thinks he knows better. Better enough, he is got this brilliant and youthful politician right at his feet.
You have brought in such a useful dimension. This son of the lake, who looked so useless when votes were stolen from him. He went ahead to call people to mass action and there is enough evidence on this, has now turned back to his supporters. I feel anoyed about this. This son of the soil would not be where he is had it not been for those youths in jail, Ruto and the rest. I am not SURE WHY MY BROTHER OKETCH does not see this naked truth! He is now capitalising on Waki report to finish Ruto?
By the Oketch behaves as if he is landing in Kenya today and not even amused. Look at what you wrote. ” We need leaders who can stand up and make tough and unpopular decision which are for the benefit of the country. Not leaders who ran back to the village to weep tribal support’ . Are you really thinking? Are you aware that you are posting this massage to people who have done research in issues of democracy allover Africa, including myself? Do you really understand African politics? Do you read about global politics? In other words, the simple question I put at your feet is, which leader in Africa has never sought tribal support? Are you aware that Raila is taken as a god in rural Nyanza? Tribal (or what you call village) cleavages play a big role in shaping politics of Africa and kindly understand that Ruto is only conforming to theory and emprical evidence. In anycase, Raila represents the best model of this in Kenyan politics!!!
Have you been in a public policy class? If you have not, then I want to offer a small lesson. This is what you wrote, ‘ We need leaders who can stand up and make tough and unpopular decision which are for the benefit of the country’. This contrally to public policy thoeries and conceptaulisation. Oketch, politicians seek to maximise votes and they make decisions that are popular to the voters. No politicians ever makes unpopular decisions and I want anyone to refer me to any evidence on this. Politicians make decisions that will ensure their survival and swing of votes in their favour. Decisions that will pull their oponnents behind. Your conceptualisation of Raila is TOTALLY wrong. What Raila is doing conforms to this model. Make decisions that will pull Ruto behind him. Is that right?
Voters, on other hand, like you and me, seek to maximise walfare. I have always followed your postings and they totally conform to this theory. Are you working togther with Nyongesa with the bunge la wanachi ? Issues that you articulate concern Wanachi. For instance, you were mobilising people to do something about education for children in slums. alright? These are walfare maximising projects. Very few politicians will angage in this or will work with you to achieve this as long as you threaten their political hegemony.
This is common in both developed and developing countries. However, the impact is more felt in developing countries due to institutional and structural failure. You know all these issues.
Gentlemen and ladies, let us be careful with our postings on such forums. Let us also seek knowlegde on these issues.
I am running for a meeting, I have not edited my version but I am sure you get my massage!
Fredrick Wamalwa
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Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 08:35:22 +0000 [02:35:22 AM CST]
From: Fredrick Wamalwa [United Kingdom]
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war (FACTS).Theoretical and conceptual facts
I am doing something on Social Policing in Kenya using the case of devolved funds and I will be happy to share with you some of the issues that concern this area. I will be happy to meet you too.
Wamalwa
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— On Mon, 11/17/08, Amos Kibara wrote:
From: Amos Kibara
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war
Date: Monday, November 17, 2008, 9:20 AM
Odhiambo, you had the point when you started and but you lost it when you kept writing. See Kenya beyond Kibaki, Raila, Ruto or whoever. Our politicians divide to rule, and thats why I have reservation; why after living harmoniously for decades should you a luo attack me a kikuyu bacause some influential guys in the Kenyan political games have disagreed on who won . Did you hear how they forced Michuki to abandon the idea of taxing their allowances. They know no tribe among themselves.
Why did they have to sacrifice 1100 innocent lives? Its because neither Raila nor Kibaki care about you and me, believe it or not. Ruto is speaking like he has a message from Kalenjins to deliver, but we know he don’t. He don’t care about the Kalenjins, he is protecting his e***s using Kalenjins and Mau residents as his shield. If you find yourself reacting negatively to what I have written here, check the reading on your tribal thermometer.
Sincerely,
Amos Gakobo Kibara
The just shall live by faith
Montgomery Alabama, USA
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Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:04:43 -0800 [03:04:43 AM CST]
From: Harun Kaburiah
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war
In my opinion, Ruto is only scared for himself. He said the Waki report was very shoddy and unprofessional, and said no-one needed to be a genious to know his (Ruto’s) name was there!!
What can I say? The guilty run before they are chased!!!
It does not matter who is in that report – from the President himself to the common mwananchi whose involvement in the chaos in Odhiambo’s words “was a spontanious reaction from all ODM supporters across the country.” That is no excuse at all. You have no control over what other people do, but you are 100% responsible for your reaction to what they do. Killing people, burning property and engaging in acts of hooliganism in the name of “spontanious reaction from all ODM supporters across the country” is totally unacceptable. We are a country that lives under the rule of law and everyone should carry their own crosses!!!
This topic always makes me emote – I feel so strongly for people in IDPs camps and those who lost their loved ones and property in the name of “spontanious reaction from all ODM supporters across the country.”
What nerve!!!!!!!
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Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:12:59 -0800 [03:12:59 AM CST]
From: odhiambo okecth
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war (FACTS).Theoretical and conceptual facts
Fred,
I know some of these things.
My take is this; Was Raila wrong to say that KPA is a National institution and that the MD can be posted from any part of Kenya? Ref; Mr Brown Ondego.
Was Raila wrong to take the Mau Forest issue head on? I bet not.
Do we as Kenyans want to continue with impunity? No. Hence, we must find necessary means of implementing the Waki thing. It gives us the best route to address our inadequacies, and sure enough, it is better than the Hague route.
Are you comfortable with leaders who retreat to address issues of national importance back in the fortress of the village and clan members?
Does it make you shudder with rage that such leaders can bring this country down?
I bet we must reason together as Kenyans and move Kenya forward. We must not do this with threats and innuendos that if you do not do this, we do this. Why take that angle? What are you so afraid of that you cannot face your colleagues and discuss?
These are things that are less academic and any pedestrian can afford to fathom them.
Odhiambo T Oketch
Komarock Nairobi.
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From:
Maryann Wanjiru
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 12:40 PM
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war
People,
it is for the second time im asking this without fear of being seen as a triblist, so the people who died in naivasha are the only kenyans who died? the ones who were burnt alive in church and the gross things that Kikuyus were made to face in the north rift is not worth mentioning yeah! is that the case. God this really really makes me so very mad
On Mon, Nov 17, 2008 at 9:29 AM, Esther kimani wrote:
Maybe you should just keep quiet!!!!!!! People were killed and you call that demonstration! You really disgust me…
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From:
Muriithi, Esther
Sent: Monday, November 17, 2008 1:03 PM
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war
In the Rift Valley millitias were trained long before the 27th Dec elections and it was known to the that whether Raila won or not “Sangari” and “madoadoa” had to leave.
There was no mass action in Rift Valley.There was pre-meditated murder and arson.This was not in ODM’s plan.
In Naivasha, there was pre-meditated torture, abuse of innocent Wananchi which was mistaken for retalliation for the Rift Velley killings. Luos were killed and mutillated for no good reason. The retalliatio should have been to the right guys who killed their people. The deeds were satanic and inhuman.
In Kisumu and Nairobi there was mass action. NOWHERE ELSE. Not In Naivasha and no in the Rift Valley.
Everyone had their own intentions which should only be heard at the Hague . Not anywhere in Kenya . We do not call two wrongs a right.
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Hi Odhiambo,
Why is Ruto spoiling for war? Why is Ruto busy pulling the country back to those uncertain days? Why is Ruto engaging Kenyans to threats and innuendos?
Is it really the Waki report or Ruto is being used to fight other peoples wars?
Odhiambo, these are very pertinent questions. However, we need to dissect and to perform an indepth analysis of the pronunciations of Hon Rutto. In my opinion, to assume that Hon. Rutto is fighting Raila, or is afraid of the Waki report is an over simplification of the situation. This is what some politicians and the myriad prophets of doom would like citizens like you and me to believe.
Thank you!
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Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:22:02 -0800 [08:22:02 AM CST]
From: egla kandie
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war
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Odhis:
You did very well until when you allowed your affiliation to ODM to make you throw objectivity out of
the window. You are making ODM look the clean party in the mess which befell our country when it is a well
known fact that all parties were responsible for the mess.
You should stop lying to your friends that they are innocent and that only PNU folks will face the music. You are probably right on some holliganism not being organized but most people including your PM knows that some people in his party as well as some in PNU were behind the mayhem. Those who organized those criminal gangs in Eldoret and in Naivasha will face the music and they know this. They are the ones running the mouths and making threats. Their days are coming to end and Kenyans (majority) are behind the PM and others who want justice without fear or favor.
Yes, many politicians in ODM and many in PNU will see their days in politics come to end. They will include some people you are defending.
Arguing that these people killed for Raila and Kibaki and so should be set free is the most stupid arguement I have ever seen. Yes, if Kibaki and Raila told them to kill on their behalf, then the two should also face the tribunal.
I am with Raila on this. He knows the country is bigger than himself and is ready to lose the elections if that what it will mean by abandoning the RV blackmailers.
It is all about the Waki envelope and so stop giving excuses for the Ruto outbursts. If he is innocent, he should wait for the envelope to be opened or shut up his foul mouth.
Kuria
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Date: Mon, 17 Nov 2008 10:12:57 -0500 [09:12:57 AM CST]
From: Kuria-Mwangi
Subject: Re: Ruto spoiling for war