Some writers and political commentators like Senior Gitobu Imanyara have been heard saying that Raila Odinga has betrayed the liberation cause by working with William Samoei Ruto ‘s regime.
They validate their arguments on the premise that:- the Gen Zs have been mistreated, killed, maimed, abducted and disappeared by the regime in the recent protests as Raila Odinga dines with it.
My problem with the group is that they are basing their conclusions on liberation struggles and Raila Odinga in the light of ongoing protests dubbed “Gen Zs revolt” though bankrolled by tribal and business oligarchs from Mount Kenya.
The genuine Gen Zs clamour for good governance is hitherto a small chapter in the whole liberation struggle in Kenya though evolving, it must be acknowledged.
History is littered with evidence of Raila Odinga having led massive protests and civil disobedience against electoral injustices, bad governance, high cost of living and imperial Presidency in Kenya.
The very people bankrolling Gen Zs outcry are the ones who demonised Raila Odinga as lord of poverty and an economic saboteur just because they were at the pinnacle of power, as the regime they supported unleashed terror, teagas and live bullets on Tinga’s followers causing fatalities.
They saw nothing and said nothing with regard to state terror against Raila and his disciples, since it was serving their interests at that particular time.
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Conversely Raila Odinga has been on record condemning police brutality during the Gen Zs protests and called for restraint and proportionality by National Police Service when handling protesters.
Recently Raila condemned Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over his remarks that appeared to be an order of shoot kill protesters.
Those bankrolling the protests and some hypocritical political commentators have never acknowledged this consistency by Raila Odinga with regard to his position on freedom of individuals, rule of law and democracy. Now between Raila and those criticising him who has betrayed who?
It reminds me of events during the Bomas constitutional making conference sometime in 2003, when delegates pushed to dismantle the imperial presidency, through creation of a federal system of Government with prime minister as Head of Government.
One Kiraitu Murungi- a renown reformer and then Constitutional Affairs Minister vehemently opposed the efforts and remarked, that since they had gotten what they wanted “Kibaki as president” there was no need to dismantle presidential powers.
In the end the chair of devolution at the conference one Chrispen Odhiambo Mbai was found murdered it cold blood. Who had betrayed the liberation movement? Raila?
The memorandum of understanding between UDA and ODM is based on respect for the rule of law and constitutionalism. And Raila Odinga and ODM have not wavered from the understanding.
Even in moments where the regime seem to go a stray like on protests, Tinga and ODM have not minced their words. Either Raila or Sifuna speaks boldly against travesties. Is this betray of a liberation struggle?
It cannot be that Raila Odinga is a betrayer because he does not suit one’s interests of the moment.
It cannot be that Raila Odinga is a betrayer of the liberation struggle because he has a working arrangement with the Government that those calling him so happily voted it into power, while hurling all manner of witcraft profanities in his way because he has stood for real change.
It is not that this hypocritical critics and bankrollers of hijacked “Gen Zs protests” want real liberation. They are Judas Isacriots who kissed Raila not once, not twice.
Their aim is to have power back and continue with police brutality, marginalisation, tribalism and centralisation of power for their benefit which Raila Odinga is against.
No politician has stood by liberation principles whether inside or outside Government in Kenya more than Raila Odinga.
Those calling him a betrayer should be honest and do soul searching.
By Edwin Shivakale