Raila Has Shown Good Leadership

Friday, 10 June 2011 16:03 BY DAVID KIGOCHI

As a dark cloud engulfed the horizon over downtown Nairobi on Sunday morning, amid screams of agony as scores fought for their lives after an explosion rocked Kirinyaga Road, one scene caught the attention of many. Prime Minister Raila Odinga flanked by two cabinet ministers and the area MP Margaret Wanjiru visited the chaotic scene to assess the situation and pleaded for patience as investigation into the incident got underway. He later proceeded to Kenyatta National Hospital to console the injured. 
But even as Raila was jostling with ordinary citizens in the chaotic scenes, his adversaries in the guise  of the G7 alliance comprising Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy PM Uhuru Kenya, Eldoret North MP, William Ruto and his Saboti counterpart,  Eugene Wamalwa were busy somewhere in Eastern Province mooting a strategy to raise money to ensure Raila does not ascend to the presidency come 2012.
The illumination on my mind was apparent. Raila is demonstrating, and consistently demonstrating genuine leadership. On the contrary the G7 lieutenants have consistently demonstrated crude ambition for leadership. Who are leaders? What makes a leader? How can you demonstrate leadership? Leadership is not a one-time decision - it’s an everyday discipline. Opportunity does not come with a warning or a flag - it comes when it comes, and most people do not recognize it. Leaders don’t miss it - they grab it! That’s what makes them leaders.
Raila has been consistent in demonstrating leadership for the good of the nation. On Sunday Raila demonstrated that he cares about the people. This has been his clarion strategy that endears many to him. At the height of the Mau Forest evictions, he was vilified by the G7 alliance for implementing a government decision.  The restoration of the Mau Forest was a prerequisite for reclamation of the water tower. This is good for the nation, the next generation and posterity.
While opposing him for the sake of it and selfish interests the Uhuru, Ruto and Musyoka trio failed to offer the alternative for the evictions and the environmental concerns. As of today, the trio has too failed to demonstrate leadership in the resettlement of the IDPs in Rift Valley and central Provinces.
Way back in 2002, when the NARC presidential candidate, Mwai Kibaki was involved in a greasily road accident, Raila demonstrated leadership by seizing the mantle. He led the campaign against the Kanu mandarins to beat Uhuru.  Kibaki was to only get sworn in after Raila led the Narc troupe during the campaign trail.
This indeed, is demonstrating leadership. The characteristics of a leader come through in our day to day interactions with those around us. Leaders come in all shapes, styles, and forms.  If you stop to think about some of the leaders that have inspired you or even some that have infuriated you, the qualities of good leadership skills will become apparent.
It is important that Kenyans carry out a clear scrutiny of leaders. Leaders ought to be guided by certain virtues and not by personal vitriol and hatred or navigated by ethnic passions and pacts. We could take the example of Hitler.  He did not have the values that one would wish to follow, but had that inspiration that could ignite a country calling each of us to action in a subtle way that can often times leave us asking why we are buying what they are selling.
The G7 is not very clear why they want leadership, only that they are opposed to Raila. They too have not clearly put forth their agenda for Kenya. It is sad and dangerous for the nation’s posterity that the trio of Uhuru, Ruto and Musyoka are riding on ethnicity and balkanisation.
The Sunday move by Raila whipped strong emotional feelings among Kenyans as they watched the footage on TV screens. We are not talking about everyday events, rather those few instances in our lives where our will, and possibly our courage, is tested.  It is during these defining moments where leaders emerge - seemingly from out of nowhere.  It is during these defining moments where leadership has to be demonstrated above the rest.
It is important that leaders take responsibility, ownership of problems and opportunities. Kenyans must always remember that excuses are simply "reasons for failure" - does not give excuses as witnessed in the G7 alliance. As exhibited by Raila on Sunday, leaders should volunteer for tough jobs and develop high goals as was the case in the Mau Forest eviction. Those who demonstrate genuine leadership always take pride in performance Leadership is not luck - it is discipline! No let up!
David Kigochi is the national convenor, Central for United Kenya (CUK)