Orange Democratic Movement – ODM Rising…

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) refers to a political party in Kenya, which is the successor of a former grassroots people’s movement which was formed in the 2005 Kenyan constitutional referendum. The erstwhile single party which separated in August 2007 into two. The two parties are the Orange Democratic Movement Party of Kenya (usually known simply as ODM), and the Orange Democratic Movement – Kenya (known as ODM–Kenya).

The name “orange” originates from the ballot cards in the referendum, in which a ‘Yes’ vote was represented by the banana and a ‘No’ vote was the orange. Thus the parties claim successorship to those who did not support the referendum at the time. The original linchpins of the ODM were Uhuru Kenyatta‘s KANU party and Raila Odinga’s LDP. However, KANU has since pulled out, and the two groupings are headed by Raila Odinga (ODM) and Kalonzo Musyoka (ODM–Kenya).

Never tire to remind them that ODM is dead. Never tire to remind them that even though ODM is dead, we shall, within our powers, roar it back to life. And when we, finally, do so, there are people in this country who will shop around for humble pies. When we, finally, do so, this country will get the break it has desired for ages. It might take us a hundred years. But we shall get there.

Because this party was not built on pretense. Luos are a very straightforward people. You insult them, they answer you back. We went to school, and people who saw the inside of a proper classroom cannot withstand virulent assault, not least, verbal assault brewed with adulterated grammar. When you impose your candidate on us, we shall be quick to let you know that we are not meek sheep to be herded into a corner. And even though your will shall prevail, sending a strong message will, incrementally, make you change your ways. If it doesn’t, we will veer off the course and teach you a timely lesson. We shall wake this party up, the best way we know how.

I am not a registered ODM party member. But when you herd all Luos into a corner and slap an orange tag on their forehead, I, my friend, will come out to defend my people. Luanda Magere did not die for us to be insulted like this. When you insult the womb, which brought me forth into this godforsaken world, I am duty-bound to a right of reply. We are not cowards.

The Luo are not a violent people. We were brought up to vomit at the sight of blood. We do not have a standing army. You do not need a standing army when the war you are fighting is of an ideological nature. You intimidate us with military firepower, we respond with soft, cutting, sharper words of wisdom.

Every Luo parent who sells their last starving cow to send a brilliant child to school does so with the full knowledge that we are trying to raise a nation of upright patriots, not argumentative airheads. As fishermen, we followed the Nile waters for fish we knew were aplenty. If we ever were to fight for a fishing ground, it would never have to be fatal.

At an early age we were taught to put faith in brain, not brawn. We understand there are instances where brawn overrides brain, but those are short-lived moments of conquest where the victors have to exit the stage even before the victory party has begun.

Building biceps is a waste of time, unless you are a professional body-builder. And a body builder, where I come from, is just a glorified praying mantis. Early day Kenyan scholarship is replete with names from the Kavirondo Gulf. We conquered the world through persuasion and convergence of minds. Violence has never worked for us, it never will.

I have been a fierce critic of ODM. On numerous occasions I have asked Raila Odinga to step aside and let energetic young men and women coming through finish his winding dream. I criticize ODM because I love them. I criticize my government because I know it can do better. Anthropology keeps teaching me that without participatory development, no government can lay a legitimate claim on her people.

As young boys growing up in the village, we were often warned of fellows who never said anything when they were wronged. You step on their sore toes, and you know it painfully hurt them, but all you get is a broad smile. You insult their mothers to death and, instead of them hurling insults back; they tighten their lips and carry on with their business. This lot are very dangerous. Always be wary of that enemy who keeps quiet under intense provocation. It is the most effective war tactic, one whose remedy has never been found.

Which takes me to my next question: “Why have we, as a society, normalized chaos?”

Why is kicking lifeless transparent buckets, with recycled paper in them, become so fashionable for the Luo male child? How is raising your voice, in a sea of chaos, meant to calm an already out of control storm?

The Luo have realized that silent revolt is a long, winding, often futile, process – which the current generation of young, tech-savvy men are not willing to give a try. If you fool me once, shame on you. If you fool me twice, shame on me. If kicking ballot boxes and chasing down party hyenas will bring sanity to the House of Ramogi, then, by all means, kick some more. Show me any ‘democratic’ political party in here, and I shall show you new wines in old wineskins.

If in this post harsh words have been spoken about some of the greatest leaders of this land, my motive is not, I hope, the wish to belittle them.