Honorable Abby
Reasons for the anti-PM movement differs from one person to the other. If we had time, we could discuss:
- Justifying the killing of women and children as long as it could get him to power
http://www.youtube.com/w...mHmU&feature=relmfu - PM and his kitchen cabinet (Anyang, Orengo, Kajwang, Midiwo, Miguna, Mbadi, Millie, Ongoro, Shebesh) acting like passive spectators to the PEV. Their loud & persistent pontifications not helping matters. Could be reason for the likely RV & Mt Kenya protest vote.
- failure to acknowledge rigging in ODM strongholds in 2007 despite the Kriegler report. to his credit, neither has PNU
- the maize scandal
- double standards - e.g. Ruto and Ongeri should resign pending investigations while Ngilu and Mudavadi have to wait for investigations to be completed. Can look the other way as long as you support him (Mudavadi, Ntimama, Bett, Gumo, Kosgey, Kajwang all have a colorful past that he will only point out once they move out of his camp. That's what has happened with Kalonzo, Ruto, Kenyatta)
- joining Baba Moi's KANU hoping to be toshwad (there has since then been an attempt to distort history that he got in to 'destroy KANU from within', something I find rather amusing)
- nepotism in appointments
- tribalism - surrounding himself with persons of his community (see above kitchen cabinet); wants Luhya to vote for him because he is more Luhya than Eugene Wamalwa (a half-Sabaot half-Bukusu?).
- a populist - can unilaterally declare a cap on rent and unga if it pleases the crowd. economic sense and repercussions notwithstanding
- a perception of sucking up to the West too easily
- a perception of preferring foreigners to locals for prominent jobs
- etc
Many of the other front runners may be worse. And there is no doubt that the PM has an impressive past as one of the persons that fought for democracy in the 80s and 90s.
However, the persistent Safi-Kama-Pamba mantra with everyone else as unclean is what probably draws focus on his indiscretions.
In summary, Wamalwa Kijana put it perfectly when he described Railaphobia and Railamania. The point is that:
- a good proportion of the people that have resolved to support Raila are unlikely to see any wrong by him no matter what is presented before them. (Hence your question?).
- a good proportion of his opponents are unlikely to view any positive thing about Raila presented before them. His actions will always be viewed suspiciously. As having a deeper sinister meaning.
This is politics. The PM has to find a way of convincing 50%+1 voters that he is the best man out there.
Honorable members, I beg to move.
All my friends are heathens, take it slow. Wait for them to ask you who you know. Please don't make any sudden moves.