Dear Raila Odinga,
When i was young (around 13 years), i attended a rally in Kilifi Public
Ground which you addressed as a guest speaker. From that time on, i
have been a keen follower of your political activities to date. The
issues you raised then are consistent with what you have been standing
for until late yesterday when you addressed the nation accepting the
verdict of the supreme court, calling for unity, and pledging support
for the new government. I was personally humbled by your words and moved
by manner in which you presented yourself before the cameras, the
nation and the world. Your political energy and vigour and endless fight
for a new Kenya will stick to the memories of many Kenyans in many
years to come. You have proved to us that indeed you are an enigma of
the Kenyan Politics. You fought a good fight, you kept the faith and
finished the race the way it ended.
As you ponder the next move,
kindly allow me sir to apologize as a voter and a Kenyan. That for the
last decades, we allowed ourselves to be mobilized politically along
ethnic identities and the consequence of that was climaxed by the
election outcome of March 4th 2013 where numbers clearly reflected
tribal demography. This and among other reasons have costed your
presidency not once but thrice. But where i come from we have a swahili
saying: 'kuvunjika kwa mwiko sio mwisho wa kupika ugali' simply
interpreted as life-no matter the misfortune-has to move on.
Disappointments like road bumps should not stop us from cruising ahead. I
know it is one of the many trying moments currently but be assured that
God is with you. Your place in history of this country is not in vain
same as your liberation struggle efforts. We enjoy all the democratic
freedom and space courtesy of the spirited fight and sacrifice you and
other Kenyans offered to take this country that far.
Finally it will
not be kind for me to end without sharing my thoughts as many people
hypothesize on the issue: what next for you. Few things can work for
your legacy now:
1. In one of my communication class, i was made to
appreciate the power of silence in a complex context like yours. Let
Kenyans miss your voice and even public appearance for few months.
2. Think of your successor (or may be you have one in mind). Invest your
political wisdom and experience to empower that possible successor-
please note, not a tribal successor but someone who represent a national
face.
3. I know you still have energy to engage yourself in many
areas including your professional line, if i were you i could avoid any
local political assignment for now. If need be then international such
as AU or UN can fit your bill. Don't ask me why.
4. Whenever you
will be, let your political words, actions and strategies be towards
uniting this country as well as consolidating your political formation:
CORD.
5. Rest, eat well, exercise and pray (more than you have been
doing before) because me personally i want to see you more energetic,
happier and healthy.
AS Kenyans, we will honour our patriotic
duty of respecting and working with the new leadership especially when
it comes to implementation and guarding of the new KATIBA which you
fought for.
God bless you
Charles Dunga Chigiri
Kenyan Voter
