By Kiflu Hussain
The Monitor
Because, the way Mwai Kibaki came to the presidency in the first place is diametrically opposed to the other tyrants whom we hate to know in our region, coupled with his long record in public service, no one expected he would stoop this low.
Having heard the press conference of the four ECK commissioners preceded by Mr Kipkemoi Kirui who first exposed the alteration of poll tallies, I am inclined to believe that there is universal agreement by now that Kenya joined those African nations who squander millions of their national currencies on farcical elections. To make matters worse, Kenya which was considered an oasis of stability in the highly volatile region, surpassed all in violence and killing in just three days.
The worst violence which cost lives of 199 people due to election rigging took place in Ethiopia in 2005. Also the whole process in Kenya up to the infamous Kibaki’s swearing-in smacks of the Ethiopian vote rigging which to many of us Ethiopians is still a traumatic experience.
Of course, Ugandans too because of their contiguity to Kenya and their own fair share of sham elections may feel that the blueprint for rigging has been handed down to Kibaki from their home.
Whatever the case, election has been rigged, resource squandered, and lives have been lost. The way out of this quagmire is not by pampering another cheat and shying away from telling him the ugly truth.
Nor is it by trying to squash the legitimate grievance of a populace swindled out of its vote. Not so long ago, history has taught us that tyrants who scavenge ballot boxes also make sure to have a kangaroo court that dances only to their tune.
So, this unduly pressure on Raila Odinga, instead of Mwai Kibaki, to take the matter to court serves no purpose except pushing the last bastion of peace and stability in the region to the precipice.
Besides, Kenyan judiciary is notorious for flouting the cardinal principle of “justice delayed is justice denied.” Past election disputes are still dragging on. The Kenyan judiciary has shown no qualms when it pressed charges of murder recently against a poor fellow after imprisoning him for 18 years with no explanation (reported recently on BBC Network Africa).
Thus, let alone in Kenya where corruption is rife and has infected every segment of the society, even in America where the law is thought to be blind, partisanship reigned in Al Gore vs. Bush thereby earning the Rehnquist court a legacy called “In calendars we trust.” Also Kenya is not America where someone says “country before party” and walk away. Hence, if this latest joker is left alone there is no guarantee that he won’t be emboldened to lift the presidential term like his colleague in the vicinity.
All told, Raila Odinga is right when he said, “I will not go to court and I will not give Kenyans anesthesia. Rather, those who think their interest will be affected by the further instability and chaos of the region should bring down all their influence on Mwai Kibaki.”
The writer is an Ethiopian refugee in Uganda.
Watch the following press conference by Raila Odinga.