RAILA GROOMING JOHO FOR 2022 PRESIDENCY

March 9th 2018 is when a warrior gave up on his dream of occupying the top seat in the land. “Perhaps the gods did not want me”, he sadly mused. Although the day saw a childhood dream crushed, the vision for a better future that had been the driving force of the enigma in politics was not crushed.

Facing Lolwe he promised the gods, “Even if you have left me four times when I needed you most I will make you proud”. After the solemn promise he took a white handkerchief and wiped a tear. he bade farewell to Mama Odinga saying, “I am going to see my brother Uhuru, do not wait for me I might late.” Mama Ida was worried but what bewildered her most was the resolve he saw in her husband’s eyes. A resolve he had seen too often during the KANU dark days.

It is argued that Raila never meant to join politics. after 10 years in and out of prison from 1982 to 1992 Raila found himself unemployable. Although a former lecturer and deputy director of KEBS no institution wanted to employ Raila for fear of upsetting the late president Moi. Raila then decided to join politics and in 1992 the first multi party elections he clinched the Langata Constituency seat. For the first time in history, father and son were elected in Kenya National Assembly.

A series of betrayals and near misses would see Raila fail to clinch the presidency in four occasions; 1997, 2007, 2013 and 2017. At 73 years Raila felt that his childhood dream had evaded him. This was a man who was born in riches but dedicated his all life in making sure the rights of everyone was protected. Raila had a larger desire in life, far much than being the president. He wanted a country where everyone would belong. During the 2013 Presidential Debate he reminded the nation that it was not his birthright to be a president but what he left out was that he believed it was the birthright of every Kenyan to be free.

It’s that belief that Raila and President Uhuru met and decided to bury their differences and work towards a better Kenya. Just like how he selflessly sacrificed his ambition in 2002 to support President Mwai Kibaki, he would embark on a journey of finding the right candidate for this country.

Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho seems to have been chosen as heir apparent to Raila. There are several factors that led the former premier choosing the Mombasa governor. The most important criteria was that Joho is an advocate for the poor. Just like Raila, he has not let riches blind him when it comes to serving the nation.