A NASA supporter promoting the worship of Raila Odinga. [Photo/ Gordon Opiyo]
“Many cults start off with high ideals that get corrupted by leaders or their board of advisors who become power-hungry and dominate and control members' lives. No group with high ideals starts off as a 'cult'; they become one when their errant ways are exposed,” wrote Philip Zimbardo, a psychologist and a professor emeritus at Stanford University.
Unfortunately, the largest cult in Kenya is one which worships a leader who, like many other cult leaders from history, is leading his people to ruin and destruction.
What also unifies cults is the way in which its members express unyielding devotion to its leaders, regardless of what they say and do, and even if it is contrary to their interests. Another identifying element of a cult is that the leader is frequently raised up the level of a prophet or even a deity, frequently at the urging of the leader himself.
Sometimes, the brainwashing takes time and a few phases to reach its end goal of absolute obeyance.
For many months now, Raila has referred to himself as ‘Joshua’ and promised his people a path to Canaan, the Promised Land. This means that at the first stage he has already inculcated himself to his followers with prophetic powers.
Rather than deal with politics, issues and an agenda, Raila has tried to mesmerize his people with visions of a divine mission. Turning Raila into a deity is quite a leap, and what many would think is improbable. However, over the last few days, this leap has seemingly been made by some of his more high profile followers.
Recently, newly-elected Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said just this. “I don’t believe in God, I believe in baba. It’s time for Tialala and Tibim. The day you realize what that means is the day you will realize we are unshakeable,” Owino declared while responding to accusations of insulting the first family at a political rally in Dagoretti, Nairobi.
This was shortly followed by a placard held by a Raila supporter at a demonstration reading: “RAILA NI MUNGU WA UKWELI.” Many more followers have been filmed making similar sentiments.
Not only is this blasphemous talk, it is nothing short of idol worship and extreme fanaticism.
It is now clear that Raila’s followers have been drawn in to follow him blindly regardless of what he asks of them explicitly or implicitly.
They are prepared to rough up defenseless women holding a prayer meeting, burn down houses and tear our nation in two.
Its adherents are asked to avoid work, thus harming their financial status, and avoid elections, thus harming their ability to elect their own leaders.
Ask any of the members of the cult of Raila why they support him, and few, if any, will be able to provide a coherent message of political vision or progressive agenda.
The cult of Raila even has a new form of religious flagellation when his supporters actively call for the authorities to use tear gas on them and are actively disappointed when they don’t.
Raila and his advisors have created what sociologist Max Weber calls ‘charismatic authority’, described as "resting on devotion to the exceptional sanctity, heroism, or exemplary character of an individual person, and of the normative patterns or order revealed or ordained by him."
The charismatic authority displays high levels of narcissism and an inner clarity unhindered by the anxieties and guilt that afflict more ordinary people.
While Raila’s charismatic authority can be a problem for a small group of followers it is proving calamitous for the Republic of Kenya. It has brought our country to a standstill, paralyzed our democratic and financial system.
While certainly not all, or even a majority of Nasa supporters are members of the cult of Raila, there is a sizeable minority who will riot at his behest and pursue violence against those who will not readily submit to his will.
For the good of the nation, the cult of Raila must be subdued and dismantled. The only person who can do this is Raila himself, who must fight against his own narcissism, assisted by his advisers and other members and supporters of Nasa.
All Kenyans must press to return our politics away from the cult of personality to one of values, vision and national agenda.
It may not win Raila a stay in State House, but it could save our nation that is currently teetering on the brink of chaos.