Book Review: Politics of Poverty – The Odinga Curse to the Luos! by Ojijo

 

There will always be families, well organised families that consolidate economic power, then load it over men, and give unto themselves titles, such as ‘chiefs, paramount chief, representatives of the tribe’; and these families, always, relegate themselves as ‘blue-blooded’, chosen of the gods, favored amongst men, kings over men, lords of the commons, prefects over natural resources, amongst other flowery and not less perfumed titles, which entrench their rule over the ‘commons’ and perpetuate their (immoral) empires, at the behest of their ‘fellow men’. In this breath-taking 222 page read, the author uses classical rhetorical styles of proverbs, sayings, idioms and personification in Luo, Kikuyu, Kiswahili and other languages to expose Raila family as one such family, which has used the Machiavellian leadership style of kingpinship to rule the Luos without developmental ideas, programs or initiatives; while at the same time eliminating all opposition to his ideas, and projects, while subjecting Luos to continuous bloodshed in his favor.

Politics of Poverty – The Odinga Curse to the Luos! is a book that seeks to castigate Raila for not doing his part as leader to make the Luos become better, while exposing the paradox of Luos who follow him blindly, castigating the Luos for not acting in their self interest and choose leaders who will serve them.
Politics of Poverty – The Odinga Curse to the Luos! is divided into three chapters.

Chapter one, titled in Luo proverb, ‘rech tow giwie’, means a fish rots from the head, and explains that everything rises and falls on the leader; that the future of a people is at the hands of their leaders; and continues to explain graphically the poverty in Luo nyanza, and how Raila Odinga, right from his father, have not addressed this expressly. While the chapter acknowledges his personal achievements the chapter also takes the reader through other Luo leaders in the east African region, and explains that Luos are political activists, but poor economic planners. The chapter conclude by also castigating the lop professionals, who get doctorates, but hardly contributes to the development of their homeland. However, the chapter is also quick to point out hat Raila is not a full Luo, but rather, half Luo.

Chapter two is also titled in Luo phrase thus, ‘bim en bim’, which means that a ‘baboon is always a baboon’, even if you change the forest. In this case, the author classifies Odinga ideology as a neo-capitalist, gaining on the back of Luos, looking at how the family took over an otherwise erstwhile community enterprise, and how the family also practices the politics of violence, which has left many young Luos dead. The chapter then explicitly analyses Odinga’s claim to be a social democrat and conclude that his actions, both to the Luos, and the nation, Kenya, reflect the character of an opportunist, and not a national hero, leader or savior. The chapter clearly brings out the characters in Raila that make him worse than the colonial homegaurds, a Machiavelli, and a colonialist/imperialist.

The last chapter, chapter three, offers the way forward, and uses the Luo proverb ‘Iseyo ogwang, to Iseyo gweno’, that we should not blame only the mongoose for eating the chicken, but also blame the chicken for wandering too far. In this chapter, the author states that every generation has a dictator, and a savior, and that it is upon the Luos, Kenyans, workers, and Africans to help themselves. The author invites all and sundry to join political parties as the only way to express interests legitimately, while castigating violence as always leading to more deaths of poor people, and no change, a classical case being Libya. The author then talks about need for students in university to be engaged in politics. Further, the author takes a look at over 100 politician and revolutionaries, together with presidents, both who either saved their countries, or run their countries aground.

Politics of Poverty – The Odinga Curse to the Luos! is a book-product of introspection, a question seeking answers; a riddle seeking solution; and an African story seeking completion. This book is about an idea, an idea called Raila; not a mortal earthling so named. This book is about either changing that idea; or changing that idea.” As you read, may you grow (in knowledge and understanding), as tall as the blue gum tree at your uncle’s home!