Raila and Kalonzo should pass the baton

When the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy recently held a retreat in Naivasha to chart the way forward after suffering a mortifying defeat in the March 4 general election, it was unanimously agreed that former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka should go back to Parliament to serve as the minority leader. It was also resolved that former Prime Minister will remain the coalition's leader but will play that role from outside Parliament.

No sooner had these resolutions been reached, than various groups and individuals began to pop up all over to register their disapproval or approval of the same. The most fascinating were those who expressed the view that the role of putting the government in check is gargantuan and can only be effectively executed by people who have, in the past, proved to be equal to the task.

Consequently it was this group's contention that measures should be put in place to ensure that Raila goes back to Parliament to lead his coalition from within. While those rooting for the return of Raila and Kalonzo to Parliament have every right to do so, they should of necessity be reminded of a few hard facts. Having been in Parliament for over two decades, both Raila and Kalonzo made a conscious decision to run for the presidency and deputy presidency respectively.

From the constitution it is clear that once an individual elects to vie for either the presidency or deputy presidency, he or she is precluded from simultaneously running for another public office. Needless to state that the presidency and deputy presidency are the two senior-most offices in the land. Why is it that those advocating for Raila and Kalonzo to go back to Parliament and cannot see the humiliation they are subjecting the two seasoned politicians to?

The key reason why Kalonzo pulled out of the alliance he had struck with Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto prior to the March 4 general election was that he had been offered the role of leader of the majority party in Parliament in the event of the coalition winning the election. Kalonzo is on record as having termed this offer demeaning and categorically stating that the lowest position he could accept was that of deputy president. The leader of the majority party ranks far above the leader of the minority party, the seat that Kalonzo is now copiously salivating for.

It never ceases to amaze me how low the Kenyan political class is always and unashamedly willing to stoop if only to secure their personal interests. The alacrity with which they throw reason to the winds when it comes to feathering their own nest is plainly inexplicable. To insist that Raila and Kalonzo must remain in active leadership makes nonsense of the aspirations of young people to take over the baton from the old guard.

For as long as I can remember, there has been a national outcry that young Kenyans have been shunted aside from the country's leadership. Each time they come out to claim their rightful place at the national high table, they are told that they are tomorrow's leaders and should therefore keep their cool. But to their frustration and dismay, that 'tomorrow' has never come. This has condemned many young Kenyans to a life of servitude and being guns for hire by the wealthy old guard. The truth is that a generational change in leadership has been long overdue.

The spectre of people remaining in leadership for eons, even one has clearly outlived his usefulness, cannot in any way be justified. However unpalatable it may be, we must reconcile ourselves to the fact that there comes a time when one must call it a day and make room for young people to take over the mantle. I am not in any way trying to denigrate the significant roles Raila and Kalonzo have played in shaping our political landscape. Not at all.

As a matter of fact, Raila is arguably the foremost reformist Kenya has ever known. The heights to which the former PM went in opposing Kanu's oppressive rule remain second to none. His detention record speaks for itself. As the son of independent Kenya's first vice president, Raila had the option of choosing to live a quiet life and enjoy his family's fortune. But rather than watch from the sidelines, he elected to put his life on the line by taking on a regime that brooked no dissent. But as stated hereinbefore, none of us can remain on the leadership stage forever.

South African icon Nelson Mandela, for whom Raila has always expressed admiration, has a lot to teach us in this regard. Just after one term in office, he vacated the stage even when the vast majority of South Africans wanted him to continue in office. No wonder he remains one of the most venerated leaders in the world. Let Raila and Kalonzo take a cue from Mandela and pass on the baton.

This article was published in the Star Newspaper on May 4,2013