Raila Odinga: Rise of Jubilee dictatorship

Opposition leader Raila Odinga says the fact that only two communities have produced all the presidents in Kenya makes a majority of Kenyans feel disgruntled.

Speaking on Thursday at the Center for Strategic and International Studies Headquarters in Washington DC, the former Prime Minister lamented that since Kenya got independence 55 years ago, all four presidents have come from only two communities, insisting that this has led to the other 42 tribes feeling excluded.

This, Odinga says, is the sole reason why the talk of secession has dominated a section of Kenyans.

“When you start hearing people talking about secession, of wanting out of project Kenya, it means there is something wrong. Unless the issues are addressed, they will tear the country apart,” said Odinga.

Rise of Jubilee dictatorship

“All of this progress is been imperiled by our current crisis triggered by the third straight rigged elections. The regime wants to hold on to power… let me be blunt, Kenya is hurtling towards an outright dictatorship, the Jubilee government has looted every institution in order to achieve goal of long-term control of the state to at least 2032.”

Push for reforms

The opposition supremo called upon the Western powers to support NASA’s push for electoral reforms and a fresh election to be held in the country within 90 days, saying that they are for the good of the country.

He, however, launched a scathing attack on foreign envoys in the country whom, he says, have been cowed into supporting the government.

“Both the regime and our tradition partners have to retrace their steps and realise that the current crisis has to be critically looked into and solved,” added Odinga.

Future of Kenya

According to Odinga, the future of Kenya lies in democracy.

Although he appreciates that the current political stalemate is not unique to Kenya, he is seeing the rise of autocracy that are slowly but steadily rising.

The ODM party leader, who has now lost in the 1997, 2007, 2013 and 2017 General Elections says that vices like one-man syndrome leadership, reversal of presidential term limits and election autocracy are not healthy for African democracy.