Thread by @dnjaga1

What has Kenya missed by not having a Luo President? A lot, as I discuss in a 5-part thread. LONG THREAD, FREE TO DISCARD

Everywhere in the world, people take pride in the success of a family or village member. It is not only natural but even healthy. Hence there is nothing wrong with a community wishing one of them is the President

Even ruling out power abuse and corruption on behalf of the tribe, the mere association with power and publicity is enough cause for pride and motivation. And it's deeply rooted in our instincts. Women admire tall men because evolutionarily, it signified domination

Although Kikuyu and Kalenjins have many differences as tribes, their use of power heavily overlaps. Some typical themes thread thru from Jomo to Moi to Kibaki/Uhuru. Large scale theft, murders, informal government (mafia), official tribalism etc

How would it be different for a Luo? A teacher friend once told me he can’t vote for Raila because he cannot stand the arrogance of the Luo. Because it is obvious from what we know that the Luo community would escort “their” President with wild passion and pride.

Many people fear this: That the Luo passion would overflow and become a menace as the community seeks to oppress the rest of us. The genesis of that chestnut “Serikali nakojoa.” That every Luo would consider himself an extension of the gvt and demand deference from the rest of us

The Luo have always come close to Presidency. Starting with Jaramogi who was the first Vice President. He would easily have become first President, but he snubbed the colonial government entreaty by telling them to “release Jomo Kenyatta to become our President”

After forming the government the two fell apart as Odinga had fundamental differences with Kenyatta. But again, there was another prominent Luo leader called Tom Mboya. With Jaramogi out of the way, he was increasingly prominently placed to succeed Kenyatta

But the closest the Luo have come to Presidency has been thru Raila. In 2007, Raila had a sustained lead against Kibaki. This went on to last day of vote counting and his victory was impeding. In Nakuru Shabab Estate I could see juices of presidency welling from Raila supporters

Hundreds of bodas aggregated at a junction hooked on radio- eagerly waiting to hear Raila is President. One newsstand in the area was ever popular with Luo lovers of politics. Every morning it was like a parliament people sampling newspaper headlines and discussing n analyzing

What I am discussing here is Luo passion for politics. The energy they invest and the emotions. The question is whether this is good or bad. Most fear this but I contend that its good. Very good and we lose a lot by not tapping it

Kikuyus have excelled in all spheres, but in politics they begrudge competition. They are best buddies with the Luo in academic boardrooms, in the hospital theatres, in legal circles. But in politics, same Kikuyu professional join their masses dreading prospects Luo leadership

They also accuse the Luo of lacking class. That a professor and minister will join their social juniors for a drink at that informal pub in Nairobi West and Kuche Kuche. They all “talk about Raila” and listen to rhumba and Suzanna Owiyo. “Njaruo itiri kirathi,” a common snide

Politics has a way of releasing so much power in people. In 2002, Kenyans were voted the most optimistic in the world. It wasn’t a coincidence. We had come together and voted out a government that oppressed us for years. A new president had led us into singing “yote yawezekana”

Subsequently, the Kenyan economy grew by more than 5% from negative. Kibaki did nothing major. Our collective excitement about change and hope for the better worked. People worked hard, borrowed money from banks to do business. It was political energy put to good use.

By fearing the Luo passion for politics we fail to harness their energy which we would otherwise deploy to national benefit. What is this that we miss? Next thread

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