SOKONI

from the standard newspaper

Raila triggers debate among Kenyans in US
By Chris Wamalwa in Washington and Dennis Onyango in NairobiODM-Kenya presidential aspirant Mr Raila Odinga is blazing the campaign trail in the US, including hosting Kenyans at black-tie dinners where a plate goes for US$100 (Sh7,300).
Raila’s crowd-puller blitz, cutting across several US states, began in neighbouring Canada. It has drawn the interest of Kenyans living in America. During the preparatory stage, rivalry erupted between two hosting groups – Raila 2007 and ODM-USA.
Lang’ata MP Mr Raila OdingaRaila and five MPs allied to ODM – Mr Sospeter Ojamong’, Mr George Khaniri, Mr Omingo Magara, Mr Paddy Ahenda and Mr M Buhari – addressed unusually large crowds of Kenyans in Toronto, Minnessota, Texas and Washington.
Foresees an eminent break of ODM
In Minnesota, Raila’s first stop from Toronto, Canada, he addressed 800 Kenyans at Brooklyn Park.
Many people who attended Raila’s meetings say they had an impression that he has not only been giving the appearances the performance of his lifetime, but he has left a strong indication that he is going for nothing short of the presidency.
"Raila is not talking as if he is prepared to play second fiddle to anyone. He is talking as the person who has put his whole in the coming presidential elections, which makes him a danger to the ODM coalition," said Mr Maurice Mwangi of Maryland.
Mwangi foresees an eminent break up of ODM and he believes Raila and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka will eventually be the people to make that happen "because they are not ready to forsake their personal ambitions of being the next President of Kenya."
Group was an ethnic mix
In what resonates with the visit by Kanu secretary general Mr William Ruto to the US in August, Kass FM, a Kenyan vernacular radio station with a studio in Washington, disrupted its Kalenjin programmes last night to accommodate a global conference for the Lang’ata MP.
Ms Julia Opoti, an assistant editor with Mshale, a community newspaper in Minnesota, specialising on African issues, described the group that turned out to meet Raila as "very diverse."
"It was an ethnic mix, and people of all ages were there. I would say that a lot of people who came were mostly interested in hearing Raila speak, not necessarily because of ODM affiliation, but because he is a famous political figure," Opoti, who covered the Raila function, told The Sunday Standard.
"I saw a clear distinction between Raila’s supporters and detractors. Those who support him left the meeting very satisfied, and those who do not care much for him were left wanting. I think I can safely say that there are almost an equal number of people on both sides," she added.
Received a standing ovation
Other dinners he attended drew about 300 people, mostly by his supporters, who paid between US$40 (Sh3,000) and $70 (Sh5, 200) a plate. Raila’s biography, Raila Odinga: An Enigma in Kenyan Politics, launched locally in July, was also selling at $50 (Sh3,650).
Opoti said Raila met a reception far different from the one that greeted him in 2001 when he last visited the State.
"Back then, he was booed by placard-waving Kenyans upset with his collaboration with the then President, Mr Daniel arap Moi.
Last week, he received a standing ovation at the conclusion of his remarks," she said.
Initially, confusion threatened the tour as two groups, ODM-Kenya and ODM–USA battled to host the Lang’ata MP and his entourage.
The struggle saw members of the two groups exchange bitter e-mails before the matter was resolved.
Differences related to logistics
The organisers of the Raila tour contend that there were no disagreements between ODM-Kenya and ODM-USA.
They have also dismissed reports that a controversy was brewing between the two groups.
"The differences you heard of related to logistics, with the organisers in New Jersey asking about the most suitable venue.
But other than that, there was nothing to it, they agreed on one place," said Mr James Sang, one of the organisers of Raila’s tour of Washington, which began yesterday, said.
Mr Leonard Wandili, another of the tour organisers, also dismissed talks of rivalry.
"Kenyans should be aware that many groups would emerge as they have done in the past to derail ODM’s agenda. They should also know that others will be formed to popularise ODM’s agenda and this is how we are viewing this so called ODM-USA. Again, this goes to show how popular ODM is and how many Kenyans want to be associated with it," he added.
Visit a favorite topic in chat rooms
Others saw the hand of detractors in the row.
"I’ve not heard of such a group but I wouldn’t be surprised. Many similar groups will be used by ODM detractors to throw ODM into chaos."
Others saw people whose agenda was want to reinforce perception they were in ODM and had Raila’s blessings.
"We saw that during Kanu days when groups like YK 92 sprung up and were used by Kanu," Dr Busolo Wabuyiele of Columbus, Ohio said.
The hitch aside, the past few weeks have seen the main agenda of discussion among Kenyans living in North America being the second visit in less than three months by Raila.
The visit not only dominated Kenyans’ text messaging services, but also became a favorite topic in Yahoo Group’s Internet chat rooms among Kenyans fascinated by the politics of their motherland.
Wandili, one of the organisers, said he has been surprised by the turn of events.
"Since news broke that Raila and several ODM members were coming to Canada, our phones have been ringing off the hook from Kenyans around America who wanted to host the group in their States."
Visit has stirred open discussion
It is not clear whether it is Raila or the party that is attracting such attention. But what was clear was that such crowds of Kenyans were last seen when President Kibaki visited the US in 2003, months after the Narc victory.
"Generally, this gives you a sense of how promising the newly registered party, ODM-Kenya is," Mr Joash M Gongera, a member of the organising committee in Minnesota, said.
Gongera, a lawyer, said he never expected the huge turn out. The visit has stirred open discussion among Kenyans in the Diaspora as to whether Raila is fit to lead Kenya.
"The fact that Kenyans are now ready to openly talk about stereotypes around Raila Odinga, his family, and the community from which he comes, is a clear indication that they are considering his candidature. In the long run, many will see these stereotypes for what they were - just stereotypes," said Mr Miguna Miguna, a key plank in the visit.
Mr John Wainaina of Dallas, Texas, however saw Raila from a different point of view.
"This man cannot be trusted. How many parties has he joined and formed?" he asked.
Petition on voting rights and dual citizenship
A number of those eyeing political seats back home have been jostling for a seat at the table with the Lang’ata MP.
These are the people who have been behind fundraisers, packaged as dinner in expensive hotels.
In the US, dinner that costs an upward of $100 is considered a fund raising event for a cause.
In most of these dinners, the attendance has been overwhelming. Though the organisers are reluctant to disclose the mount, many said the attendance, exceeded expectation.
But they all agreed that most of those who were actively involved in fund raising were themselves eyeing political seats back home.
The Kenyan Community Abroad (KCA) through its President Mkawasi Mcharo has prepared a petition on voting rights and dual citizenship, two dicey issues that Raila, as a leading Presidential candidate was to address.
"We believe Raila is one of our current leaders who talks the talk and walks the walk therefore we want him and other parliamentarians to ensure that the Government puts in place mechanisms for Kenyans in the Diaspora to vote in the forthcoming elections. The Government cannot afford to take us for granted anymore," said Mcharo.
Radio station hosting Raila
Raila and his group arrived in North America on October 26. Their first main function was on October 28, at the University of Toronto (St George Campus).
From Canada, they moved to US and held another meeting at the Edge Christian Worship Centre, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
They held other meetings in Atlanta, Georgia, Texas, Baltimore, Maryland, and the last meeting was expected at Jersey City, New Jersey on Sunday.
In a notice "to all Kenyans wherever they are," Kass FM International’s CEO Dr K A Sambu, announced his station was hosting Raila at its Washington DC studios yesterday at 10pm, local time.
"The station will switch to Kiswahili and English for the duration of the conference The Hon Raila Odinga will be introduced by the programme host, whereupon he will make his introductory remarks, and share his vision with the listening audience. He will then welcome questions, criticisms, and suggestions from listeners," Sambu announced.
VIPs are given priority
His notice read, in part: "Owing to the overwhelming active interest shown by the public so far the only options open for listeners to take part live is through "EVENT MEMBERSHIP." At centre top of our website - www.kassfm.co.ke- click on ORDINARY or VIP MEMBERSHIP.
VIPs are given priority when raising questions but we hope everyone will be heard.
If the ‘event membership’ option is not responding to a click, please move down right under the picture on the homepage and click on SPOT SPONSORSHIP. Transact at least twice to qualify for membership as conference participant.
Upon receiving an e-mail from you regarding the above we will send you in return your conference participation pass code, number and, later, your position in the virtual queue. As conference participant you can operate from any phone anywhere: on the road (if not driving), in the house, at the club, or at your office."
Last August, the station, which had just set up its Washington studio, linked Ruto in a debate mostly with Kalenjin speakers.
International whirlwind tour
The Canada and US stops are part of what the organisers call an international whirlwind tour for Raila to engage closely with Kenyans abroad, scholars, friends of Kenya and reflect on what ails the country.
Many Kenyans abroad interviewed by The Sunday Standard said the tour was important to Raila because it offered him the opportunity to engage with Kenyans.
They see the visit as nothing short of campaigning for the top job in Kenya and what he says to Kenyans and friends of Kenya will have a strong bearing on his candidacy.
"Even those who generally don’t like him have learned to respect him because he is clearly first among equals in the ODM pack. Many admire his courage, tenacity and shrewdness," Wandili, who is based in Toronto, Canada, said.
Mr Andrea Onuonga, president of Washington DC-based Kenya International Organisation, agrees that the twin issues of dual citizenship and voting rights were on the agenda for Kenyans and Raila was bound to be pinned down on them