Political blogger Robert Alai has cautioned upcoming bloggers-for-a-cause that if they have to stand out, there is a price.
Alai, long seen to be allied to Cord leadership says that he has been arrested more than 21 times because of what he writes since Jubilee came to power.
He said, “Bloggers, there is a price you will have pay if you chose the political blogging path. You must be ready to be left alone and crucified especially if you choose the straight and narrow route of blunt honesty.”
Shockingly, Alai reveals that out of all the times he has been arrested, ODM has never paid his bail or even assigned him a lawyer.
“The one or two instances I have had Orengo appear for me, he has never followed up beyond the mentions. From all those, I now only have one case after winning all the others. It's a fight,” he says.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, Alai said he, however, has no bad feelings towards ODM, Raila or Orengo.
“This is the path I chose. But I will correct my party whenever it deviates the course. I fight my wars with a strategy. The party has NEVER paid for or appreciated what we do.”
He also expressed the frustrations of being locked out: “Being associated with Raila also means that I can't get any government business, nor can I be employed in most private and government entities. Corporate entities fear political antagonism. It's a pathetic life being a social justice activist or political blogger who values honesty.”
“In all that I do now, there are many factors I have to consider. I can't act like I used to.”
He says that people have to also learn facts before passing judgment.
“When insulting a blogger for "deserting baba," you need to ask yourself what sacrifice you have made that you want others to continue sacrificing for you. What have you done? Do you contribute even a single sweat, shilling or resource to the struggle?” he poses.
He has also suffered insecurity and attacks probably motivated by his stand.
“I have been stabbed four times, attacked and followed home. It's not as easy as you assume. But we have to fight,” he cautions.
“Let's be candid,” he ends.