kiss of judas
written by Donworry , August 29, 2007

Arap Moi plays the long game and he plays to win. In this new episode his character is seen using all his political acumen to broker a deal that will finally bury all the financial and political scandals associated with his regime.

The current president should note that one is judged by the company that one keeps. The victory of 2002 is still looked upon as a turning point when our leaders turned their backs on authoritarian rule and corruption as the state religion. Arap Moi was the scapegoat and the refrain Yote yawezekana was to be heard from Lake Sango to Mombasa. We were promised a new beginning in which the Son of Sacho would go and spend his evening years peacefully and out of Kenya politics.

Though the president has survived well despite being a serial promise-breaker, I feel that voters will not be too kind when they realise that all this was a sham.

Support from Arap Moi is not a vote winner

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written by Stephen Wanyama , August 29, 2007

Don,
First of all it is doubtful that Kenyans look on Moi with any of the revulsion they did in 2002. This is the lesson we must learn from 2002, false revolutions kill the urge for change. Nothing changed, and the energy has dissipated, now we have fallen into the tradition tribal blocs.

I do not understand why Kenyans are acting surprised at this deal. The anomaly was the 2002 inauguration, apart from that, I think Moi and Kibaki have had a pretty steady relationship.

His fears about the ODM party however resonate with many of us Kenyans, who would rather bin our votes than give them to Raila.

Moi\'s choice
written by Mr.Kay , August 29, 2007

Wasn't it the other day ODM were happy with Moi's support of their NO referendum vote, and Raila also said no one should harass Moi in retirement?

The same people are now attacking Moi.

no opposition
written by Amina , August 29, 2007

There is no opposition in Kenya. They all eat from the same place. Funny, Moi's opinion of the opposition. Wonders what amnesia does to people. Yes, political amnesia is very much at play here.

Unfortunately, looks to me that the opposition have squandered great opportunity to defeat Kibaki bickering amongst themselves. But then again, they know only too well, they cannot trust each other. How are we to trust them?

...
written by a guest , August 30, 2007

I was expecting his endorsement all right, but the reality of it has still shocked me. A seismic shift seems to have occurred within my whole thinking about the upcoming election. The only thoughts I have now are (1) Moi's arguments were feeble; (2) poor Kenyatta; and (3) Raila's reception at Kerugoya stadium was surprisingly not that bad. After being pimped out in 2002 poor Kenyatta was supposedly in some shed a few kilometers away as Moi shafted him yet again. I don't think he would make a good president but Kenyatta comes across like a really ok guy...someone who could be your buddy even. And I had forgotten how bad Moi's english is! For the first time I thought negatively about his schooling...to standard 8 only! Do old people in power really get wise or do they degenerate into a bunch of sickos as is the case in the US republican party? In any case, seeing the truth strengthens...Kenyatta will no doubt turn out to be a stronger leader after getting such rough treatment, and we Kenyans have seen exactly what happened all throughout the roller coaster ride that began over 5 years ago. The picture for Kibaki now is entirely different from the last election. He was doing just fine without Moi's endorsement (or, to put it differently, ODM was doing most of the work for him by creating such a mess). Now, though, the upcoming election will be the battle for Middle Earth part II: effectively a battle to end Moi's influence once and for all. Moi has seriously blundered this time. Najib's quip about defeating project number two was brilliant.

votes in the bank
written by emmo opoti , August 30, 2007

I find the analyses in the newspapers quite amusing. Almost all reports persist in the fantasy that Moi represents the people of the Rft Valley or that he has influence over them. There are even claims that this region was in the past wholly pro-Moi and that opposition to him was unheard of there. There's clearly a desire to make all ethnic groups in Kenya take on a communal political stand even though by fact it is only the Luo and the GEMA who have traditionally voted in this unified fashion. Voting for Moi in the past was a choice made from an assessment of the candidates, not because he was Kalenjin.

The histories of William Ruto, Jean Marie Seroney, Kipruto Kirwa, Chelagat Mutai, Reuben Chesire and Kipkalya Kones and their successes show clearly that this has no basis in reason. Clearly the region is very fragmented, and its people will vote not as a block but as individual tribes/ regions based on their 'kingpins' choices. The Nandi and Kipsigis for example, are likely to take different paths than those taken by the smaller groups, and the politics of maize, tea, dairy products, sugar cane, cattle rustling and land pressure are going to have a profound influence on eventual alignments.

I am not convinced that Moi's support is the kiss of death. It can be packaged that way of ODM so wishes, but they too would have been happy for his endorsement. Kenyans it seems to me are not too bothered by history or arguments on morality. If they were it is unlikely that Kibaki would have won in 2002 or that Raila would be on the ballot this year.

It is important, especially in what is likely to be a very close election to have absolute domination over the regions and even if Moi and his allies do not win the Rift Valley, they will force ODM-Raila to spend a lot of time and money campaigning there. Indeed, even as ODM try to shrug off his announcement as incosequential, what it does is deny ODM a province which it can totally shut Kibaki out. On the basis of the MPs lineup, it seems to me Kibaki may alreayd have the election in the bag.

...
written by postillionage , August 30, 2007

The thing I wonder about. How sure is Kibaki that he will survive the five year term. I mean nothing against him or Moi but is it not a little late in time to be going into any activity with such vigour?

Does this mean anything to the people backing the Kibaki re-election bid? Is Saitoti the take over man, and if so where does that fit in Moi's scheme of things, or even Kibaki's?

The talk about an Uhuru Kenyatta, Gideon Moi joint ticket seems silly to me. The two have not exactly distinguished themselves in any meaningful way and to expect that Kiraitu, Karua, Saitoti and so on are going to back them purely for tribal or class reasons seems to me entirely short-sighted.

Even then, think of the realignments should Musalia become the ODM candidate, or should Kalonzo and Raila be reconciled! The only thing keeping ODM from State House is ironically the man who gives it its very life.

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written by David Mwangi , August 30, 2007

I have a revulsion for mtukutu rais moi regardless for what he did to our beloved nation. I don't care who he supports, all I care ask is why he is not in jail.

While I think Kibaki would make a better president than Raila, I hate that Kibaki is being endorsed my mtukutu rais moi, and wish Kibaki would get re-elected without endorsement from devils like mtukutu rais.

Kiss of death
written by Man R , August 30, 2007

Moi's support for Kibaki won't change anything. ODM has most of RV and there's very little Moi can do to change that...

A change will be good for Kenya. Kibaki has failed and we should learn not to reward failure.

Moi and Kibaki is a union of the wealthy, like the one who were supposed to go to that ridiculous Ksh 1 million a plate dinner for Kibaki.

now i get it
written by donworry , August 30, 2007

At first I didn't believe it. It sounded too far-fetched. But everything pointed in that direction. There is not much one can do if the answer is staring us in the face.

What business does Kibaki have in seeking or entertaining endorsements from a man who barely 21 months ago went up and down the country campaigning against the government and its whacky constitution? OK granted Arap Moi and Kibaki are mabeste but what about the rest of the government? Where are the Karuas and Murungis...is Tuju also an arap Moi acolyte?

In this riddle one must ignore the red herrings and the first one to see through the smoke will understand our mad politics.

It is now clear to all but the most naive that Arap Moi is working for the election of an ODM government. There may be a secret pact involving Moi, Raila and Kibaki who we all know was never really interested in a 2nd term. Many people understand the simple fact that it is only an ODM government with it's full strength of potential future presidential/prime ministerial candidates that can move this country forward into the next phase of our democratic experiment.

Many forget that this will be the first genuine general election in which everything will be at stake. There are no sure winners and no forgone conclusions.

All said however, we can be certain of one thing: If this thing boils down to a 2 horse race, Kibaki will get his wish and come a close second.

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written by Watetu , August 30, 2007

I agree with you entirely! Kenya does need a change. But what change is ODM offering us?

You say that we should not reward failure which I whole heartedly agree to as well. However, correct me if i'm wrong but is ODM not made up of former Ministers that also failed us in this last term?

re: Kiss of death
written by Tim Norwood , August 30, 2007

A change will be good for Kenya. Kibaki has failed and we should learn not to reward failure.
Moi and Kibaki is a union of the wealthy, like the one who were supposed to go to that ridiculous Ksh 1 million a plate dinner for Kibaki.

Reading this, one may be led to think that ODM is a party of paupers, which reverie is interrupted by a slap in the face from a thick wad of 1000/- notes. It does feel a little unfair that NARC-K has all those billionares, when you lot have just the one!

haji
written by said , August 30, 2007

the old man is only protecting his intrest, with so much stashed abroad, he needs someone to sign it off..well..kibaki is ready to do that for him...Reason, people, will tell you that....

self destruct
written by donworry , August 31, 2007

Ofcourse it is all about self-preservation. I wonder whether it has anything to do withg this leaked report

What is good for the goose..
written by ngamu , August 31, 2007

will work as well for the gander. Moi was Mr. clean during the referendum with the wishes of Kenyans at heart. The spin masters here and those that follow ODM blindly would have us believe that he was right then, terribly wrong and an evil man now. If he has been evil (and he sure should have been investigated), it did not start after the referendum! He has a following, and ODM may say whatever they wish, but they keep losing people. Kibaki has sewn up Central, and with Kalonzo's help, Eastern is sewn up too. What province, pray, can Raila say the same - save Luo Nyanza? Short of a terrible blunder (and his handlers are prone to a bunch), Kibaki may have a much easier ride back to State House than he may have expected!

Kibaki\'s incompetence
written by Man R , August 31, 2007

Kibaki has the advantage now because of incumbency, but that may not last long. His association with Moi is nowup for questioning. It's possible that he blackmailed Moi into endorsing him, but it's a fact that he attempt to protect Moi's corrupt dealings and looting of tax-payer's money.

will work as well for the gander. Moi was Mr. clean during the referendum with the wishes of Kenyans at heart. The spin masters here and those that follow ODM blindly would have us believe that he was right then, terribly wrong and an evil man now. If he has been evil (and he sure should have been investigated), it did not start after the referendum! He has a following, and ODM may say whatever they wish, but they keep losing people. Kibaki has sewn up Central, and with Kalonzo's help, Eastern is sewn up too. What province, pray, can Raila say the same - save Luo Nyanza? Short of a terrible blunder (and his handlers are prone to a bunch), Kibaki may have a much easier ride back to State House than he may have expected!

Kibaki has virtually reneged on all the promises he made in his Dec. 30 2002 inaugural speech. He has not prosecuted a single corruption case and he seems to condone corruption. The list of negatives on Kibaki are numerous. He cannot escape from his failures by just highlighting some meager achievement on the economy, he has to embrace his full record.

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written by a guest , September 01, 2007

Go Raila!

Time for change is now...KORI (Kibaki Out, Raila iN).

Next on agenda, majimbo.

What is the MP of Othaya to do
written by rabet maatari , September 09, 2007

2007 elections results;

Central- kibaki
Eastern- Musyoka
Western- Raila
Rift Valley- Raila
Western- Raila
Coast- Raila
North Eastern- Raila
Nyanza- Raila

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written by rabet maatari , September 09, 2007

Nairobi- Raila