In the 90s when agitation for multipartyism was at its peak, hostilities against Mt. Kenya heightened to unimaginable levels in some parts of the country.
Most vocal critics of the then government hailed from the mountain and naturally, the most hatred came from Rift-Valley where the then-president hailed from.
It is on record that 1992 and 1997 witnessed macabre programs targeting mainly Mt. Kenya people living in the North Rift Valley.
During this period, Mt Kenya region feared the retired President and his people like death.
Of note is that when the dust settled on these unfortunate incidences, Mt Kenya didn’t hold grudges against the then president or his people.
Out went de jure and came the multiparty system in 1992.
If there is an area that welcomed the new system of government, it is Mt Kenya region. In fact, were it not for the overexcitement, the region would have produced a president.
Unfortunately, the region got carried away and fielded two strong presidential candidates, Kennedy Njindo Matiba and Mwai Kibaki, thereby splitting a sure bet ticket to the presidency.
That as it may, Mt Kenya did not hold any grudge against itself or anybody else.
Indeed a doubting Kibaki filed a petition in the High Court to challenge the 1992 presidential elections results but quickly withdrew the petition.
The most defining moment for Mt Kenya was 2002 when the combined opposition under the NARC banner fielded Mwai Kibaki as its Presidental candidate.
This was the first time in Kenya’s electoral history when people from the mountain were not targeted for harassment in the Rift Valley.
The deuce or if you may the saving grace was that the mountain had two presidential contenders, Uhuru Kenyatte fronted by former president Daniel Arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki by the opposition.
In love with Odinga
It was also the time when Mt Kenya fell in love with Raila Amolo Odinga. The mountain nicknamed Raila ‘Njamba’ meaning hero.
Interestingly the worst massacres and harassment targeting Mt Kenya people happened in 2007 when certain communities in the Rift Valley, Nyanza and Coast regions under the CORD coalition contested the results of the presidential election.
During this time the two most feared leaders in Mt Kenya were William Ruto and Raila Odinga.
Suffice to note that when the dust settled following the formation of a government of national unity, Mt. Kenya didn’t hold any grudges against any region or leader.
Constitution 2010
Out went the unity government in came Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta. Mr Kenyatta is the first president to be elected in Kenya under the new Constitution 2010.
In an interesting twist of fate, the traditional ‘enemy’ turned friend helped Mt Kenya to continue holding onto the leadership of the top seat in the country.
In what some hailed as an unlikely winning ticket considering the odds, ICC and strong opposition, Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto clinched the Presidency.
Again the Mountain proved that resilience, patience and good judgment could win over hatred and grudge-holding.
Once again 2013 witnessed some of the most harassment programs targeting Mt Kenyans outside the traditional Rift Valley region.
A petition filed by Raila Odinga challenging the 2013 presidential election results was unsuccessful. The country calmed down.
Handshake
Once again the demon of electoral violence reared its ugly head during the 2017 presidential elections when opposition NASA hotly contested and protested the results in court and streets.
The dangerous situation only calmed down following a handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.
The 2017 presidential elections heightened Mt Kenya’s fear of Raila to a hysterical level.
As the Mountain lovingly dine with a former persecutor, it hates a former one with a passion.
It is however noteworthy that Mt Kenya has no lasting hatred for any leader or region when making tough political decisions.
Lessons Mt Kenyans should learn
These lessons are better understood by fear mongers, Mt Kenya’s persecutors and political observers.
It is the same lessons that current Mt Kenya leaders must learn and appreciate when making political decisions for their people and the region.
Has the region been acting in this manner because of selfish interests or has it been lucky all through?
Methinks Mt Kenya has among other factors been a beneficiary of its vote numbers.
Hate or love the mountain, the region has the highest block vote that all other regions salivate for when it comes to presidential elections.
Perhaps providence bequeathed Mt Kenya this numerical power for a purpose. Another benefit for the mountain is party Coalitions phenomenon.
Rich voting bloc
Today, no party in the country can win a presidential race without forming a coalition with other political parties.
Could this be the reason Uhuru decided to work with the most feared leader in Mt Kenya region?
If you agree with my reasoning the patterns tell a big and interesting story.
The bottom line is that fear has not clouded the Mountain’s ability to make prudent political judgement in the past nor is it likely to do so in future.
Right now changes in Constitution 2010 are around the corner and the mountain is right in the thick of the exercise either as a willing or reluctant participant.
Will the amended constitution hand Mt. Kenya one of the proposed pole position to continue its leadership streak since 2002?
Well, if my thesis and hunches are correct, YES!
Facts and destiny are perfectly entwined in favour of the Mountain region.
In conclusion, I think that Mt Kenya’s 2022 political destiny is unlikely to be decided under fear but sound, well informed and astute standpoint.
Therefore those leaders who are pegging their hopes on arm-twisting the mountain to assist them to ascend to power through spreading fear and war mongering should study the political and social history of the region keenly.
Mystically speaking, this could be a CHOSEN region. I could also be wrong.
Kaunda wa Muchunku
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