NDUBI: The huge opportunity Uhuru lost on Madaraka Day

When President Uhuru Kenyatta took to the podium on June 1, 2017 to address the nation in the 54^th Madaraka Day celebrations, Kenyans had a lot of expectations.

Top among them, as it has emerged, was the anticipation that National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential flag bearer and former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, would be granted a chance to address the nation.

In the live televised event in all local TV stations, prior to Kenyatta’s speech, Odinga could be seen heartily conversing with fellow guests at the Kabiruini Stadium in Nyeri County. The opposition coalition leader was already seated even before the President’s motorcade made way to the venue.

Journalists covering the annual event commemorating 54 years of self-rule early in the day appeared not to have been briefed on the possibility of Odinga being given a chance to speak.

We don't know if Raila Odinga will get an opportunity to speak, we are told it is at @PresidentKE's discretion – @Fchurii #MadarakaDay pic.twitter.com/lt3OGw2SdQ

— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) June 1, 2017

When President Kenyatta proceeded to read his speech to the nation, it was clear the former PM would not be accorded the honour and Kenyans on Twitter wasted no time to express their displeasure at what they viewed as the Head of State’s lack of decorum.

In trying to explain this tactical error by the President’s team, there was an attempt to claim they were unaware of Odinga’s attendance alluding to the fact that the Former Premier led the opposition to boycott the 53^rd Madaraka Day celebrations held in Nakuru County last year.

#MadarakaDay It wasn't a must for Raila to speak but not even recognizing his presence was truly hateful.Advisers of Uhuru wake up

— kezziah mbuthe (@kezmbuthe20) June 1, 2017

Odinga and his Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) brigade then, chose to hold a parallel rally in Nairobi’s Uhuru Park after four weeks of street protests christened ‘Teargas Mondays’. The rally was attended by thousands of opposition supporters and characterized by passionate calls for reforms of Kenya’s electoral body the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

On Thursday, however, Uhuru’s team was well aware that the opposition leader commanding a huge following around the country was attending the national event.

Raila Odinga says opposition to attend #MadarakaDay; faults Joho's blocking from attending #MadarakaExpress launch. pic.twitter.com/L0mLCD5jBI

— David Mbewa (@MbewaDavid) May 31, 2017

To blatantly ignore a leader of Raila’s stature, a champion of Kenya’s ‘second liberation’ whose father’s selflessness paved way for Mzee Jomo Kenyatta’s presidency and to hear Uhuru claim to honour heroes was the biggest contradiction yet from the Jubilee administration.

Once again, Kenyatta and his team of ‘misadvisors’ successfully managed to paint himself the bad guy a day after proving he couldn’t let go let go of a feud with a man, ideally way below his league, Mombasa Governor, Hassan Ali Joho.

The President lost an opportunity to endear himself to a constituency that has proven elusive to him ever since his election on March 4, 2013.

In fact, Kenyatta’s ill-advised move only served to anger opposition supporters and did nothing to sell him to a growing number of unaffiliated voters struggling to find a reason to support either of the two.

As a symbol of national unity, the President couldn’t have erred more in his judgment than to use Madaraka Day to sideline and show no regard for the opposition while hosting the national celebration in his backyard.

It is no wonder that many Kenyans on Twitter are of the idea that the 54^th Madaraka Day celebration could go down in history as one of few state events lacking a national outlook.

Now we have to watch National events with a translator #MadarakaDay

— Edwin Sifuna (@edwinsifuna) June 1, 2017

From Nyeri Governor Samuel Wamathai’s Uhuru re-election pleas to President Uhuru Kenyatta’s largely unimpressive speech, I bet if the if lower-thirds graphics on TV screens were removed, you’d be forgiven to think the event was a Jubilee Party rally.

Deputy President, William Ruto, and the President followed the same script we have become accustomed to: electricity, water, SGR and we need more time; and occasionally throwing quick jabs at NASA leader, calmly listening with the audience.

Protocol or not, the son of Jaramogi as the most high-ranking opposition leader representing the dissenting view deserved that platform by virtue of being who he is and needed not to beg for recognition.

What would Uhuru have gained by thinking on his feet, recognizing the supposed oversight of his team, and inviting Raila to speak? I would sum this up as he would get to be the likeable guy, the optics would be good for him and probably if the latter messed up in his address, well, bad press would be upon him.

But as it inevitably happened, we were denied the chance to take stock of strides made in democratisation of Kenya or lack thereof and took home a lesson on how to divide.

Uhuru lost an opportunity to show Kenyans he was not just interested in staying in power but in our quest for unity which supersedes any infrastructure project a country can pull off.

Ultimately, Uhuru lost in a battle that he created himself.

He was denied audience and now everyone is talking about him. Who wins? Retweet for Raila Odinga or like for Uhuru Kenyatta #MadarakaDay

— The Politica (@DanbarasaDb) June 1, 2017