I know it’s been some time since I last contributed to this forum and I must admit that writing is one of them hobbies that I abhor, yet I’m inspired to put together this piece in an attempt to make sense of what really happened at the much publicized meeting of the 90s reform forces at Prime Minister Odinga’s residence recently. This moment of epiphany, I feel must be seen in the light of the rebirth of of the anti-reform forces that had once been deemed defeated and decimated.

The reemergence of Retired President Moi and his recent venture outside the Rift Valley represents his attempt at reestablishing the Nyayo tentacles that once left bad taste in the mouths of many. There is high probability that after the referendum, the old guards will once more regroup and try to wrestle leadership out of the hands of the reform forces and just the mere thought of a renewed KANU readily brings nostalia in the minds of these leaders who suffered heavily under the past regime. They may look back and see missed opportunities when inexperience and raw greed for power stood in the way of their collective success and now, with gray hair and fond memories, there’s that renewed sense of belonging and the anticipation of what the future holds if and if only if they’d come together once more in the spirit of the early nineties. This if harnessed, may be the the most powerful force into the 2012 elections.

The above maybe only part of the whole equation. Most if not all who attended the meeting may have lost their luster from the nineties and are therefore on a mission to sanitize and reinvent themselves and this may be their only opportunity. We’ve seen this with the likes of William Rutto, Musalia Mudavadi, Henry Kosgey, Anyan’g Nyongo, James Orengo, the list is too long. The likes of Muite, Gitobu Imanyara and Khaminwa among others would readily rediscover their nitch only under such an umbrella. If only they can put aside partisan interests and genuinely put their cards to the table, this may be the next most formidable force in Kenya Politics come 2012.

Martin Ouko
Blog-talk Radio
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/martin-ouko