BEN MULWA
An
adage enthuses that in success, one must learn when to stop. I imagine
it's because the journey to succeed, in whatever field, is no different
from climbing a mountain.
When
you reach the peak, the only sure way to go is down, if you insist to
press on. You cannot walk through the air into the sky. Even with the
assistance of a parachute or a hot-air balloon, your destination remains
the foot of the mountain, or even the bottom of the sea.
My father was born in 1945. April 16 to be precise. That's the same year Raila Amollo Odinga breathed his first.
Through
the 70s, 80s and 90s, my father, alongside his peers and age mates
played transformational roles in my village and County, Makueni.
They
established schools where there were none. These are the schools we
went to. They helped establish health centres and other facilities. They
established water points, pans and dams. They built market centres from
scratch, where we trade to-date. Then they took the front line in
ensuring that education and health standards only continued to improve.
Working
with the provincial administration and other authorities, they ensured
security and prosperity for all of us, working round the clock to ensure
we a had a functional society.
While
they still could, those who had the interest ran for and served their
time in political offices. These included Keli Augustine's dad amongst
others.
Today,
these old men still remain instrumental in the affairs of my village
and County. They are prized wells of wisdom. They still awe us with
their foresight and independence of thought.
But
today they have largely taken the back seat, allowing younger, more
energetic people to take charge of critical affairs of our region. Many
have relinquished positions of influence in development and school
Boards to younger people.
They
have accepted that age is catching up with them. Fresh ideas have begun
to elude them. The challenges of the 21st century are particularly
intimidating to them. Technological advances have not made matters any
better for them. They are full cognizant of these realities of nature,
and they've honorably and gracefully taken all this in stride.
They
have allowed their children and grandchildren take charge of their
collective destinies. They are happy learning new things and trends from
us. They relish the times of their youth, while worrying about the
crazy times we live in today. They only throw in their tidbits of
wisdom, hoping they'd be useful to our day to day lives in modern
society.
Most
importantly, they are profoundly proud of the achievements of their
time. They are proud retired administrators, teachers, civil servants
and community leaders.
This
is the league Raila Odinga belongs in. He ought to be a happily retired
statesman who flaunts to his children and grandchildren his grand
accomplishments in fighting for the immense democratic space we buoy in
as a nation. His immense sacrifices, alongside those of his peers and
age mates where never in vain.
He
belongs in guiding and advising the younger generation of Baggy Maurice
Ochieng, Benson Musungu, Ngunjiri Wambugu, Hon Ababu Namwamba, KJ,
Philip Malile, Hon Chris Wamalwa, Caroline Ruto, Hazel Katana, and
millions of other Kenyans.
Today,
I wouldn't vote for my father if he ran for elective office, even MCA. I
believe he made his significant contribution to our community, and
lacks new ideas to confront the challenges of our time.
It's
same reason I cannot support Raila Odinga in this day and age,
alongside his peers. He's a spent force, bereft of ideas and strategy.
It's time he took the back seat, and trusted younger, more energetic
Kenyans to carry his illustrious legacy forward.
It's time to pass the baton Right Honorable. Else your next destination shall be the bottom of the sea.
The writer is a former presidential candidate
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