Good political music

If there is anything I share in common with Okonkwo;s father, Unoka, it is that I cannot bear the sight of blood. Call me a coward if you want, but to me, war and bloodshed are the two ugliest things ever! And I am praying that by the time you read this, everything will be alright in next-door neighbour Kenya where tensions are mounting over delayed release of the presidential election results. I am praying that the camps of the leading men Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta do everything to prevent a replication of the post-election violence and bloodshed of December 2007.

Raila is a man who has patiently struggled for the peace of his country and for a harmonious East Africa. He was arrested in the 1980's for eight years without trial and has endured many political trials and tribulations because he was "born in politics" and learned early that democracy and progress don't come easy. He embodies the greater-good politician who knows that he cannot dare sow seeds of discord regardless of what is done to him. That is why he put aside his personal ambition in 2002 and supported a coalition candidate, Mwai Kibiki, who later rigged him out in 2007 but he still agreed to work with him for the sake of peace.

As for Uhuru, he has always had his political palm-kernels cracked for him. He was wooed into the game in 2002 by Daniel arap Moi in reciprocation of the kindness his father Jomo Kenyatta had rendered him on his way to the throne. Analysts say Uhuru just wants the top job so he can protect his vast chunks of prime land allegedly obtained controversially. He hopes it will also put him in better position to defend himself from ICC over crimes against humanity.

Actually the antagonism between Raila and Uhuru was inherited from their fathers who served together in the first post-independent government before they fell out. All said and done, Raila should not be motivated by ending the hegemony of the Kikuyu and Kalenjin who have dominated Kenyan politics since independence. Uhuru should also not be preoccupied with winning to that he can entrench that hegemony further.

Let both men respect the outcome of the election and work together. Let them not make war over the ballot, but like Unoka, let them pick their flutes and make good political music. And together we shall boogie on the dance-floor of brotherhood.

This was first published shortly after the elections.