Whenever political achievements are mentioned in Kenya, rarely does Raila Odinga’s name miss.
However, during the 7th Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on October 20, 2016, Raila’s name was not among those mentioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Despite being hailed as the father of democracy, whether an error of omission or commission, Raila’s name did not appear among the likes of George Nthenge, Kenneth Matiba, Charles Rubia, Masinde Muliro, Martin Shikuku and Ahmed Bamahriz.
In the speech punctuated by a progression of democracy in Kenya highlights, the president pointed out that Kenya’s leaders after independence did not always agree but that their relationships were often fraught with tension.
“They disagreed about political ideology, and they disagreed about governance but they never disagreed about the necessity of national unity. They held dear the oneness of our motherland and strove for ways to better attain the promise of Independence.”
The speech acknowledged the affront on freedoms saying democratic space always narrowed.
“As we settled into our freedom as a country, the relationship between Kenyans and their government deteriorated. Democratic space narrowed: we lost the freedom to speak our minds and pursue our political visions openly and freely.”
This, he said, led to a new generation of heroes arising to lead a second liberation, which restored the freedoms we had lost. Raila’s name should have been in this band of achievers.
“We owe our multiparty democracy to this generation of reformers. In 2002, our journey took a new turn: over the eight years that followed, men and women of courage dared to re-imagine our democracy.”
Among those mentioned included Nzamba Kitonga, Mutula Kilonzo, Kivutha Kibwana, Martha Karua, James Orengo, Otiende Amollo, and Atsango Chesoni. These were called “our constitutional heroes”. The president hailed them as men and women of honour, “to whom we owe our Constitution, and our new system of governance”.
Raila’s name did not appear here either.
The opposition leader’s name missing from the list of heroes raises eyebrows but then again, this is a country full of political intrigues.
Notably however, two Cord co-principals Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula were in attendance.