It’s been a tough couple of weeks for Baba’s supporters, me included. I really thought that this time around, the stars had aligned for Raila Amolo Odinga who was making his fifth stab at the presidency.
Two recurring thoughts kept fighting for dominance these past few weeks. The first was the statement by Lupita Nyong’o when she won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2014: Your dreams are valid.
The second is encapsulated by the tweet below by @roomthinker who I follow on Twitter primarily because of his biting wit.
Was it finally Jakom’s time? Or would it be the fourth heartbreak in a row for me. It turned out to be the latter.
I’m still trying to accept this outcome. That the universe denied a man who has fought so long and hard for this country and instead rewarded his opponent making his first attempt to win the presidency.
Even more incredible, that a man part and parcel of the system managed to convince 7 million voters that he was a hustler just like them and in the Opposition, never mind he has and will continue to earn a salary as Deputy President until the moment he is sworn in as the 5th President.
I had hoped that Mt Kenya region where my parents were born, having realised the mistake they made in 2013 would have the maturity to correct it, like the Americans did after voting in Trump. Sadly, their anger and bitterness drove them to punish Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila by extension, a decision that has sunk Kenya deeper into the mess. I doubt they’ll agree with me though. Anyway, time will tell.
I know history will be kind to Jakom. But that gives me scant comfort at this time. As I try to move beyond this and focus on achieving my own dreams, I can’t help but wonder, will I be celebrating like Lupita or be meditating somewhere in my old age about @roomthinker’s tweet?
Before those annoying positivity warriors come at me, let me just say that some of us need TIME to grieve, so process things…
To find the SILVER LINING…
To appreciate our BLESSINGS…
To feel GRATITUDE despite the sadness…
To learn the LESSON…
To [insert your favourite positivity quote here].
Photo by Benjamin Sow on Unsplash