Caution Raphael

Letter To Tuju Caution on Campaigns Styles

Thank God it is another five years. Elections are at hand; in fact we are just about there. The election machines are on high gear. But the obsequiousness displayed well before the official campaign kicks off is already a thing to abhor. I acknowledge that the head of state has made it clear that all Kenyans should have the freedom to go anywhere in the nation to solicit for votes. In the like manner, many political leaders like Hon Raila among others have made similar sentiments.

I want to take issue with NARC K chairman Raphael Tuju. Tuju appears not to have learnt much within the last two years. Poor NARC K chairman in his part is already inciting his own people to prepare to stone him. All Kenyans must make deliberate effort to sustain adequate levels peace and tranquillity both among themselves as well as with their neighbours.

His naivety in understanding his own people caused his kinsmen three innocent lives as he arrogantly stormed Kisumu. He blamed it on Raila and later while in the Coast Province lamented that it is only in Kisumu of all parts of the country where he is not welcome. But Tuju happen to be one of the Kisumu people by birth. My understanding is that two years after the referendum Tuju should have chartered a better way of politically approaching his people. It is therefore surprising that instead of seeking a more mature and less confrontative approach to his own people, it sounds like Tuju is ready for yet another battle. Otherwise why is chairman Tuju having a premonition of what he will expect from his brethren in Nyanza? Without mincing his words, and without any embarrassment, he declares that he will go to Kisumu all the same even if they will stone him. I wish Raphael?s politics were more mature. His last experience in Kisumu may not have been so welcoming, but at the same time, the visit caused the death of three innocent school children. Fine, it was death well deserved by Tuju?s political standards because he never made any apology, at least not publicly. Now Raph is at it again, literally preparing a fertile ground for conflict during his party?s visit. The question is: ?If Raph one time declared in Coast Province that all parts of the country are accessible to him except his own homeland of Kisumu, he should ask himself this question: ?Are all Luo?s bad apart from Raph?? Or does he want to disown his background? Raph owes NARC K an apology for failure to work hard so as to change his own brethren to his side. He should now have sought a formula for changing his people if he truly represents them. The Hon U.K.?s approach may not be the best; it has been widely condemned not only as ridiculous but a new record set in Kenyan politics; but at least it is a step towards understanding the reality surrounding the politics of his region.

Do not tell us that your development record in Rarieda speaks for itself. The developments in your home constituency are nothing but sugar coat by them whose motive is to frustrate your own brethren, then reward you for facilitating their goal. Instead of approaching the issue of what caused your kinsmen to desire to stone you even at the expense of risking their lives in the hands of your armed bodyguards, you have recently given them notice to yet again (LITERALLY) to prepare to stone you. Most of your brothers may not be so brilliant nor of your economic status but that cannot stop them from being your brothers, your voters.

It is worth re-examining yourself and asking why you conspicuously stand as the only white sheep among the black; the only good man among the condemned millions? I am not appealing that you change your party; I am personally not a fanatic of any political party. But come out clean and explain your politics without hiding in the thought that Raila insights your people against you, and stop rejoicing that you are the one and only prince while your people (your own voters) are outcasts.

Noah Otieno
Kisumu and Ex - Colditz