Its early days yet. The elections in Kenya are still about 100 days away – and I havent even registered as a voter (that happens on the 19th of November and I will be there bright and early to pick my card. The coalitions are still being formulated and there is yet another month to go. Looking at the field of presidential candidates, I could see these guys as front runners (in order): Raila Odinga, Uhuru Kenyatta, Musalia Mudavadi and William Ruto. The vice president doesn’t come close as I am yet to see his spine – or his true colours. I think he shall be someone’s running mate. Then I could see the also runs Martha Karua, Peter Kenneth, Charity Ngilu and James ole Kiyapi. If you asked me two weeks ago, I would have told you that while Raila Odinga is the most likely winner or Uhuru Kenyatta, Martha Karua is the woman for the job – she has clarity of vision, a consistency and apparent discipline that I like.
Today, I know that Raila Odinga and Uhuru Kenyatta are at the front of the game. But I can now see a new real contender – Peter Kenneth. With the official launch of his campaign, I took a moment to listen to him. I have been listening to how people have recieved him. And I have thought about him. Of all of them, I can trust him the most. I percieve him to be clean and untainted by corruption or political shenanigans. I percieve him as a principled man of high integrity. I tended to believe him as I listened to his speech – although the interviews I have seen him do, I think he didn’t do well (talked too much about other candidates rather than his plan.)
I think I could vote for Peter Kenneth. I see it as likely even. For one reason. Because he is no tribal lord, I can see the conversation changing from being an ethnic one to an issues one. A candidate who can preside upon such a change is very attractive to my vote.
After all what are the options? Raila Odinga is great, but he isn’t clean – I just can’t pin anything on him but he isn’t clean. Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto are likely to go to the Hague or subvert the constitution when they are president, to ensure that they don’t go. The others, well… Peter Kenneth as a new entrant poses new questions, discusses new ideas. Thats a guy who could be my president.