Governance, politics and the economy are intertwined. Onyango Ochieng Jr writes on the political scenario in Kenya.

Intolerance is the most lethal weapon in the hands of political demagogues, who incidentally ride on the backs of paranoid Kenyans with insatiable appetite, unfortunately to blame, others for everything wrong with their lives. It is same paranoia swallowed whole by naïve itchy ear victims of the said leaders that has sucked our quasi-fledging democracy into this maelstrom of glorified intolerance where divergent views are quickly criminalized with bizarre glee. This is becoming the new Ebola of our 21^st century politics.

Granted, wedge-drivers involved in these evil schemes are politically and ideologically bankrupt with no core message to sell to over expectant public. They thus revert to falsehood, voodoo allegations and vituperations to vilify their perceived opponents while appealing to their prejudiced audience. Sad that even the educated swallow this perfidy—very heartbreaking.

Take the case of ODM a party that prides itself as a haven of democracy, beacon of reforms and champions of the Gorbachev concept of ‘glasnost’ and or ‘perestroika’. Recent humiliation meted on its executive director Magerer Langat was patently immoral, poorly thought and deleterious even to the party’s corporate image. This cavemen behaviour is only common in kakistocratic societies like North Korea, Egypt, Afghanistan, and apartheid South Africa among others where thuggery and violence is the norm in public discourses.

Interestingly, even before the party NEC ostensibly rules on Magerer’s fate, its functionaries are falling over themselves to fill the “void”, rekindling memories of the dark dreary days of KANU totalitarianism. Add the aborted party delegates’ conference in Kasarani gives the impression of an ODM ruled by the laws of Karma. Where is discipline, due processes and justice? This is a bad, bad place for the ODM to be. The most venerable political party in Kenya is increasingly considered not the moral engine of emancipation, but an immoral successor to a hated past.

The muted lightning rod behind all these fluidity in ODM is now the “crown prince” Eliud Owalo, a man who ran the worst campaign presidential secretariat ever in the entire Africa in 2013 resulting into successful failure of Raila Odinga. How such a man today becomes the blue-eyed boy of the very opposition elbowing out everyone opposed to his ascendancy is benumbing. It is rewarding misplaced loyalty on the alters of intolerance, even to the extent of turning ODM into a faction ridden amorphous mess in a state of perpetual crisis. Same warriors who bloodily fought impunity are today proving to be secret admirers of Mugabe’s unchecked powers.

But tolerance deficiency syndrome is not an ODM monopoly; other parties are guilty too, and inventive as well where they deploy their social media blood thirsty mobs on a mudslinging spree. Classical case is the ongoing avalanche of slur directed at Nyeri Women Rep Pricilla Nyokabi, Hon. Ken Okoth of Kibra on Facebook and twitter. Whatever happened recently at the UDF “delegates” congress remains a story for another day. Tolerance is facing the Sanhedrin of hyenas. The future is walking down the road to perdition.

In this era of devolution same evil is devolving for pursuit of brownie points; In Migori County, governor among others buses army of supporters to every event from funeral, fundraiser to even presidential functions in the county to cheer him and jeer his perceived opponents – which way democracy?

Even at the vortex of this frivolous pursuits fanned by unbridled ignorance, purest of intentions of average Kenyans and blinding opportunism by heartless blood suckers we otherwise call leaders, it’s the educated who prostate before these frauds that break my heart.

Imagine the implosion that could have been ignited by the dastardly attack on Raila in Kinango – what if the man had a knife, a gun or any explosive? Then picture Uhuru’s attacker in Migori hurling a grenade instead of a shoe – where would we be as a country since both leaders control a near fanatical constituency! The tragic irony scantly mentioned is both cases the perpetrator must be fascistic supporters paying fealty to both leaders by “protecting” their turf from “infiltration”

Same diseased minds were ready like yesterday to sign violence cheques even with their blood, thus intolerance remains their moral compass. Thanks to messianic complex exemplified by politicians in the eyes of their supporters.

How did we get here? Do we blame the devil, selective amnesia or impunity mentality driving our mannerism environment? Are we simply incapable of learning from 2008 history where Political zoning and extremism plunged the country into the kegs of a gun powder, briefly opening the gates of hell?

[caption id="attachment_40017" align="alignleft" width="250"] 2008 Post Election Violence. Image courtesy of theguardian.com[/caption]

In both incidents involving president Uhuru and CORD supremo Raila Odinga, I thank their abundant display of political sagacity and statesmanship for they both down played the events which had the potential of igniting an inextinguishable fireball.

This is where we should borrow a lesson from the English premier league clubs; parties must now not only discipline their supporters but inculcate discipline in their ribs and every vein, besides instilling party values, vision and culture.

A close look at Mzee Karissa and the six ruffians who orchestrated the heckling and hurling of a shoe at the president in Migori unveil humble and deprived persons, meaning some ‘Sicilian’ type Mafioso must be pulling strings behind the scenes.

In Migori, it was a question of political supremacy gone awry. Pitying the obvious gladiators battling each other on who becomes the ‘summum bonum’. Incidentally if the intention was to snidely bring down MP Edick Anyanga of Nyatike; it was the President who became a victim of these dastards. Too bad they are closing the stable door long after he horse has bolted, for Hon. Edick is currently dubbed preeminent Migori County Political Compass.

As for the repentant Mzee Karissa and his fellow janjaweed ideologues still roaming the depth and breadth of our political space including tormentors of Magerer Langat – its time registrar of political parties and director of public prosecutions stood and be counted.

Onyango Ochieng Jr.,

Political communications consultant.

Onyango@e-seme.com

This article originally appeared on shitemi.com, to read the full article click here.