I will refer to
Nikita Khrushchev’s speech of 25th February 1956 to the 20th
Congress of the Communist party of USSR. The characteristics of a cult of the
individual can be deduced to include elevating one person and transforming him
to a superman possessing supernatural characteristics akin to those of a god.
He further says such a man supposedly knows everything, sees everything, thinks
for everyone, can do anything and is infallible in his behavior. The practical
consequences of this grave situation include violation of the principle of
collective party direction and accumulation of immense and limitless power in
the hands of one person. Stalin, who is referred to in the speech acted not
through persuasion, explanation and patient cooperation with the people but by
imposing his concepts and demanding absolute submission to his opinion and whosoever opposed these
concepts or tried to prove his own viewpoint and the correctness of his own
position was doomed to removal from the leadership collective and to subsequent
moral and physical annihilation Stalin originated the phrase ‘Enemy of The
People’-similar to the title of Henry Ibsen’s play. The term ‘Enemy of The
People’ automatically made it unnecessary that the ideological errors of a man
or men engaged in controversy be proven. It made it impossible the making of an
individual’s views known on this or that issue. The above sums up the characteristics and consequences of the cult of the
individual.
Turning back
home, ODM has a replica of what happened in Stalin’s USSR Communist Party. USSR
had Stalin, ODM has its Stalin too-Raila Odinga. The name ‘baba’ can be traced
in 2005 when Raila was campaigning against the Wako Draft. When his supporters
were asked why they are opposed to the Wako Draft, they replied ‘Baba amesema’.
When asked if they have read the constitution, they replied ‘baba amesoma’.
When he alleges plots to assassinate him, even when stage-managed like in 2002,
they say he knows everything. If he says elections are going to be rigged, he
sees everything. He is a superman who is infallible.
The principle of
collective party direction is no more in ODM. The recent Saba Saba Rallies
provide prove of this assertion. An example is the protests of Hon. Richard
Onyonka who faulted the ODM and CORD leader for not consulting the party
leaders and those elected under the party. If Raila says it, that is the party
position-that is imposing concepts and demanding absolute submission to his
opinion and those opposed to the view and try to explain the correctness of
their view are doomed to removal from leadership of the party and moral
annihilation. An example is the removal of minority chief whip in the National
Assembly because of his stand on the Saba Saba rallies.
Raila and his
amplifiers have developed terms akin to Stalin’s an ‘Enemy of the people’. Kalonzo
was the first victim when he differed with Raila in 2007 on whether the
flag-bearer of ODM-Kenya should be chosen. Kalonzo was tagged ‘Msaliti’-Traitor
and the tag stuck until he formed a coalition with Raila ahead of 2013
elections. If Kalonzo takes a stand opposed to Raila’s, the tag will be back
with a bang! When Dr. Kidero held views opposed to Raila’s, he was dressed down
in a rally and he had to toe the line. Another term that has been developed
recently is so and so is a ‘mole’ and to be precise a ‘Jubilee Mole’. Despite
your loyalty to the party and the party leader except to the extent of
expressing your views as a God-given right to mankind, despite the work you
have done for the party, when you differ with ODM/CORD leader you are tagged a
Jubilee mole. It is difficult to fathom the victimization of Hon. Ababu Namwamba
as a Jubilee Mole. The terms ‘Msaliti’ and ‘Mole’ automatically make it
unnecessary that the ideological errors of a man engaged in controversy be
proven. When Caroli Omondi spoke about ODM’s undemocratic tendencies, ODM
supporters just branded him a mole and no one asked why he made the
allegations. When William Ruto did part with Raila costing him (Raila) the
presidency-as majority view it-Ruto is seen as a ‘msaliti’ by ODM supporters.
In summary, when you are with Raila, despite your political sins, you are
Baptized in the name of infallible baba, in the name of Odinga and in the name
of Odinga alone. When you defer with him, you become a sinner-a watermelon,
Msaliti-traitor and a Mole who requires sanctification by Raila to be saved and
enter the political kingdom of the righteous.
This is the
unmaking of ODM. It is a cult. The cult of the individual. People’s consciences
are captive. For survival, Raila thinks for you, sees everything-for you, knows
everything-for you and can do anything. He is infallible, a superman and the
democracy he supposedly fought for is in trial in his own house and
coalition-ODM/CORD and not by anyone but by his own creation-his cult.
Politics will
punish he who uses the masses and imposes his will on the masses devoid of
consultation and as Lenin rightly put it: only he who believes in the people,
who submerges himself in the fountain of the living creativeness of the people,
will win and retain power.
Ochengo Onguso is
a Graduate of Political Science and Public
Administartion and Philosophy from The University of Nairobi. He is also a
Law student from the same institution.
He is the Chairman of
the Board of Directors, Intellectus Consultancy
melchym1@gmail.com
Ochengonguso@intellectusconsultancy.com
