By Jackson Omondi
We hear talk about readiness for 2017. Conversely, we also wax lyrical that if everything stays constant, the battle will be presided over by an incredibly partisan referee in IEBC. And given what we have witnessed thus far, that assertion is largely true. We in CORD must now put some meat on the bone. Just talking about “winning it all in 2017” without establishing real legwork on how to get it done is not going to cut it.
True, IEBC is severely partisan and no one in their right mind, believes that what happened in 2013 will not in happen again in 2017 if we go to a contest midwifed by the same outfit. Press conferences without real meaningful action e.g. engaging other stakeholders like the civil society and wanainchi to get involved or hatching a bipartisan parliamentary group to push for an IPPG-like consensus that led to a much more acceptable electoral outfit. In fact, the 2002 ECK gave Kenya its finest polls to date. Both government and opposition had a say on the composition of the electoral outfit. The upshot? Credible polls that the loser easily conceded.
CORD should start pushing solid ideas and craft a workable strategic white paper that can set the tone for 2017. Jubilee is extremely vulnerable but its hanging on the notion that CORD is all talk and no action on matters IEBC and poll integrity. If CORD turns the tables away from rallies and press conferences, Kenyans will start seeing Jubilee for what it is – a failed regime banking on electoral sophistry and political chicanery.
CORD will be better served if all those surrounding Jakom are not political aspirants. It’s sickening to see that those who surround the PM are folks who are vying for something! How can they soundly advice Jakom on presidential political empirical data while they are also busy putting out rapid fires from their own prospective spheres of influence? Why can’t Jakom be surrounded by none politicians, proven political svengalis with a knack for campaigns and elections? Why can’t he be flanked by real number-crunchers, solid political minds, graduates of political wizardry, messaging gurus who take poll numbers for breakfast, rapid response as snacks, political speeches for lunch and campaign strategy for dinner? I wonder.
Jubilee is enjoying the services of a real Political consulting firm and the only reason why they are still in contention is because they understand the benefits of specialization. It’s time for Jakom to stop relying on professional politicians or political wannabes. We saw how that played out in the coalition government and we don’t wish to go back to the days of yore.
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