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Out of the blue, Kenya’s opposition has come up with another highly sensational claim that Raila Odinga actually beat President William Ruto in the August 2022 elections.

Jubilee’s Secretary General, Jeremiah Kioni, has sensationally claimed that information they have received from a whistleblower shows that Raila received 8 million votes (57 per cent), while Ruto received 4 million (41 per cent).  In a well-choreographed move, other opposition leaders, led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Raila’s running mate, Martha Karua, called a press conference to support the claims and demand answers.

And right on cue, Raila has called a “massive rally’ to be held in Kamukunji Grounds in Nairobi when he returns from South Africa, to “discuss the way forward.”

This “rigged election” drama has become very tiring to Kenyans. Clearly, somebody somewhere wants to keep the issue of elections alive, probably as the only bargaining chip left in their bag of tricks. This narrative has become completely jaded.

First, Raila and his Azimio allies had the opportunity to table all their evidence when they challenged Ruto’s win at the Supreme Court. One must remember that Raila was the Government candidate, with the country’s security intelligence and all resources he needed at his disposal. He had the wherewithal to ferret out any shenanigans that could have taken place. Their failure to do so can only lead to one conclusion- there is no such evidence.

Secondly, given the first premise, it means that the so-called evidence from the so-called whistleblower is just hot air. Raila and his Azimio acolytes should really be very humble and eschew bringing before Kenyans more “evidence” from whistleblowers.

Kenyans are yet to forget that during the presidential petition, one John Githongo tabled evidence from yet another whistleblower that turned out to be forgeries. The Supreme Court judges were extremely scathing in their criticism of this behaviour. Githongo might yet face legal consequences over this. They need to let sleeping dogs lie.

Thirdly, leaders must start acting responsibly. They need to realise they are first leaders before they disintegrate into political formations. The enthusiastic reception Ruto received from leaders and the people when he visited Nyanza recently to launch development projects is a clear demonstration Kenyans have moved on. What this means is that it is just a few leaders at the national level still in denial, and who have been unable to come to terms with their loss. They must not be allowed to hold the country at ransom.

It is clear that there is a cabal that is determined to build a certain narrative, probably choreographed to lead up to and justify certain intended actions, most probably extrajudicial. The opposition must stop this dangerous brinkmanship and for once, think about the huge and mounting challenges facing Kenyans, rather their own selfish interests.

Finally, Raila’s moment of truth has arrived. He must decide now what his legacy is all about. He cannot have it both ways- statesman and rabblerouser!

It cannot be that he has to keep searching for issues to keep the country perpetually destabilised. Agitation is an important tool, but this can only be justified when it is generally agreed that the country is going down the wrong path, and the Government has gone rogue. The Ruto administration is barely four months in office, and is working to rectify massive mismanagement and grand larceny by the Handshake government in which Raila was a key player. They need time and space to work for Kenyans. If he wants his legacy to be that of a statesman, Raila must give the Government of the day latitude to achieve what he proclaims drives him- uplifting the lives of ordinary Kenyans.

If he keeps going down the current rabbit hole, history will judge him very harshly. Let him mull that over as he makes his way to the Kamukunji Grounds to “discuss the way forward,” whatever that means.  

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