Its
2017, I am sitting in the living room with my son, Harvey, watching the
inauguration ceremony of Kenya’s fifth President. There is a lot of noise by
the joyous crowd gathered at Uhuru Park grounds. Meanwhile, my lovely wife, Nyambura, who
hails from Kiharu has decided not to watch the ceremony with us.
She is
(pretending to be) busy with some (far-fetched) house chores. I understand how
she feels. I was in the same position exactly 5 years ago. I let her be. She
has been moody since the election results were announced. She loves me to bits though
(or so I believe). Ha!
The
Chief Justice now tries in vain to calm down the now super charged crowd
running to a million chanting “Baba! Baba! Baba!” He signals them to come down.
There is momentary silence with a few chants here and there. Then he breaks the
silence…
I, Raila Amollo Odinga, solemnly affirm
that I will truly and diligently serve the people and the Republic of Kenya in
the office of the President; that I will diligently discharge my duties and
perform my functions in the Office of President of the Republic of Kenya; and I
will do justice to all in accordance with this constitution, as by law
established, and the laws of Kenya, without fear, favour, affection or
ill-will. So help me God.
The
crowd breaks into wild cheers and jubilation. The KTN cameraman zooms in the
crowd. I see a section of the crowd overwhelmed by emotions; they are crying.
Tears of joy. It’s unbelievable baba is now officially the fifth President of
Republic of Kenya.
A tear
drops from my right eye. Oh my God I’m crying too jeez! I bet you don’t want to
know when I last cried. “Daddy, why are you crying,” Harvey asks me. I wipe my
tears and look at him with my eyes now reddish. “That man you see over there is
the greatest leader our country has ever had. His victory has been stolen twice
in the past and this was his last chance to be Kenya’s President and he has
finally made it. I’m very happy Harvey,” I tell Harvey.
At
this point it doesn’t matter to me whether Harvey thinks that his dad is weak.
It is a defining moment. Meanwhile, the crowd is unstoppable. They are singing,
dancing and waving placards suggesting towards the dais. Security is having a really difficult time. Baba
unsuccessfully tries to calm the mammoth crowd now ultra-charged. He decides to address them amidst the noise
but he can’t continue as the noise is too much. He boards the presidential limo
and his entourage follows him. The huge crowd follows the entourage. It crazy.
Once
again Kenya is voted the most optimistic country in the world. In the meantime,
I go to the kitchen where I find mama Harvey washing the utensils. I pause
slightly, admiring the magical beauty in front of me (damn! She is fine. The
little voice is my head whispers) then I break eerie silence…
“Si
you will slaughter that jogoo for dinner. “Sawa babe”, she responds (in a sweet
charming voice) without looking at me. Of course the chicken must die as we
celebrate baba’s historic victory. Others will bring down bulls and goats. I am
not sure about sheep. The chicken that I had set aside for celebrations in 2013
was spared as we controversially lost (we were rigged out).
I go
back to the living room. All media stations are busy analyzing baba’s impending
presidency. NTV is hosting Mutahi Nguyi (I want to smack his face, shit!) while
KTN hosts Adams Oloo, Political Science don from the University of Nairobi. I
call my friends supporting jubilee to tease them. I tell them this thing
#IsMarwa and #Okwabisecho he he he…Some are deeply hurt but I tell them to give
baba a chance, he will deliver.
I then
call my folks and share the joy. We chat and laugh. In deed it’s a new
beginning for Kenya as Kenya’s father democracy takes charge. It was a long
time coming. Awooh!
