HE REIGNED BUT NEVER RULED

HE REIGNED BUT NEVER RULED
By Hon. Aloo Denish

1) Three decades and over, he transformed Kenyan politics and governance,
His name and images dominated front pages of Magazines and Newspapers,
His actions and steps were the news bulletins of every TV and Radio station,
His speeches and words reverberated across all social Media platforms,
He was at lips of every citizen, in Barazas, in farms, marketplaces, offices and fields.
He fought for second liberation; Freedom of Speech, Expression and Association,
He fought for Multiparty Democracy, against One-Party State,
He brought the New Constitution, and engineered Devolution.
All these he did, NOT while seated on the Throne,
NO, he was anguishing in Nyayo torture chambers,
He was in detention without trial, nine years of isolation from family and friends,
He was in exile, in foreign lands far beyond our continent.
He was in the streets, accompanied by Mammoth of Crowds never seen before,
He was at the Parliament, with the support of like-minded leaders,
He sometimes lingered close to the corridors of power, and negotiation tables,
Brokering selfless deals for the sake of his county.

2) He fell the tyrant leadership, yet did not assume power,
He reconciled and forgave, with famous "Handshakes", yet did not taste the throne,
He was praised when fighting corruption, defending citizens and exposing
government scandals,
Yet was denied chance when seeking opportunity to implement the very good ideals.
When Kenya needed him, she USED him,
When Kenya needed him MOST, she MISUSED him.

3) Henceforth, If a poet/scientist/leader be granted permission,
To give but a piece of advice, I’d dedicate a stanza to this legend;
"To this coming government, Oh Sun of Africa,
Play dumb and fool, offer no alternative governance anymore,
Like a hot potato, drop the opposition roles,
Never again, should you satisfy their quest,
Of fighting, of mocking, of defeating and spitting on you,
Do they, their worst, lambaste them not,
Do they, their best, applaud them not,
Let them, if they chose to, milk the people dry, and advance their dictatorial
decrees,
Till one day, through experience, people may learn,
the necessity, of supporting a true patriot.
Quit stage oh best dancer, at the crescendo of frenzy,
Retreat to your abode in Opoda farm,
To the White House of the People, on Riat Hills,
Relax with your wife, with whom you've together grown old,
Gather your grandkids, around "duol" the traditional bonfire,
Tell them African tales, give them stories of the world before, prophecies of the
world after.
Eat honey, drink milk, munch fruits, as in your Dreamland CANAAN,
Because you have lived, you have loved, you have learned, and you have left a
legacy.

4) Raila Amolo Odinga,
Agwambo, the Enigma of Kenyan Politics,
The mover of masses, the darling of the people,
The King that Never was,
The president outside State House,
The People's President,
Reigned but never ruled.