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A tale of two dynasties. Fascinating tale.
Kenya has had two main political dynasties since its independence in the early sixties; the Kenyattas and the Odingas. Sorry, the Obamas never made the cut. An Obama, Obama pere, made it as high as minister then disappeared in a mix of alcohol and depression. Leaving the Kenyattas and the Odingas to vy for the nation's highest prize: The Presidency.
The Kenyattas appear to have been more successful.
At Kenya's independence in 1964 the race was on for the highest prize. One Jomo Kenyatta took the prize, becoming the nation's first President. Smart man this Jomo Kenyatta. After attaining the highest perch, he pulled up the ladder after him. Kenya would have one ruling party with him at the head. Talk of job security! The trappings of democracy remained, but I imagine he was always the only candidate. It worked for him. It turned out to be a lifetime tenure, as he only left the office on his death bed in 1978. A good 14 years. Not bad. But his son Uhuru was lurking in the wings, even though he had to wait his turn, as a pair of dictators occupied the Presidency after his dad. 2003 or so saw a return of democracy, not just the trappings, the real thing. And Uhuru Kenyatta won the elections. That is how powerful the name had become. Uhuru occupied the office for ten years. Giving a total score of some 24 years with a Kenyatta as President.
The Odingas did not fair so well. The eldest Odinga, called Oginga Odinga, lost the race for President to Jomo Kenyatta at independence and had to settle for second prize. Or a consolation prize, if you will. A vice President, if I recall right. His son Raila Oginga has contested the Presidential elections 4 times before this year: 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017. And lost.
This year's Presidential elections looked like Raila's year. Fifth time is a charm? It looked like it was his this time for the taking. He had in his pocket the most coveted endorsement: that of current President Uhuru Kenyatta. Quite a tale in itself, as Uhuru Kenyatta had to shaft his own vice President to endorse Raila. A bizarre situation as well. Imagine a sitting US President endorsing the candidate of the other party instead of his own vice President! A little kind of like say Bill Clinton endorsing the Republican candidate Bush Jr instead of his own vice President al Gore. Politics, Kenya style. Two dynasties keeping it to themselves.
It turns out to have been a hard sell. At least the Kenyan voters appear to have rejected this game of musical chairs by two families who consider themselves destined to rule. The public voted for the shafted vice President.
Raila Odinga is challenging the results. Maybe the courts will have pity on him. This is his fifth shot at the Presidency
BBC News, Nairobi
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-62559899
Kenya has had two main political dynasties since its independence in the early sixties; the Kenyattas and the Odingas. Sorry, the Obamas never made the cut. An Obama, Obama pere, made it as high as minister then disappeared in a mix of alcohol and depression. Leaving the Kenyattas and the Odingas to vy for the nation's highest prize: The Presidency.
The Kenyattas appear to have been more successful.
At Kenya's independence in 1964 the race was on for the highest prize. One Jomo Kenyatta took the prize, becoming the nation's first President. Smart man this Jomo Kenyatta. After attaining the highest perch, he pulled up the ladder after him. Kenya would have one ruling party with him at the head. Talk of job security! The trappings of democracy remained, but I imagine he was always the only candidate. It worked for him. It turned out to be a lifetime tenure, as he only left the office on his death bed in 1978. A good 14 years. Not bad. But his son Uhuru was lurking in the wings, even though he had to wait his turn, as a pair of dictators occupied the Presidency after his dad. 2003 or so saw a return of democracy, not just the trappings, the real thing. And Uhuru Kenyatta won the elections. That is how powerful the name had become. Uhuru occupied the office for ten years. Giving a total score of some 24 years with a Kenyatta as President.
The Odingas did not fair so well. The eldest Odinga, called Oginga Odinga, lost the race for President to Jomo Kenyatta at independence and had to settle for second prize. Or a consolation prize, if you will. A vice President, if I recall right. His son Raila Oginga has contested the Presidential elections 4 times before this year: 1997, 2007, 2013, 2017. And lost.
This year's Presidential elections looked like Raila's year. Fifth time is a charm? It looked like it was his this time for the taking. He had in his pocket the most coveted endorsement: that of current President Uhuru Kenyatta. Quite a tale in itself, as Uhuru Kenyatta had to shaft his own vice President to endorse Raila. A bizarre situation as well. Imagine a sitting US President endorsing the candidate of the other party instead of his own vice President! A little kind of like say Bill Clinton endorsing the Republican candidate Bush Jr instead of his own vice President al Gore. Politics, Kenya style. Two dynasties keeping it to themselves.
It turns out to have been a hard sell. At least the Kenyan voters appear to have rejected this game of musical chairs by two families who consider themselves destined to rule. The public voted for the shafted vice President.
Raila Odinga is challenging the results. Maybe the courts will have pity on him. This is his fifth shot at the Presidency
Kenya election 2022: Raila Odinga rejects William Ruto's victory
By Dickens OleweBBC News, Nairobi
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-62559899
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