This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
On December 3, 2019, Miguna Miguna's vitriol towards Raila Odinga reached new heights, with some of his supporters justifying his behavior as a gentlemanly response to being abandoned at war. However, a closer look at the situation reveals a more complex narrative.
When Raila Odinga extended an olive branch to President Uhuru Kenyatta through the 'handshake', Miguna Miguna was quick to condemn it, even going so far as to call it a 'handchieth'. This reaction is puzzling, given that Miguna had previously expressed a desire for Raila to use more confrontational means to take power.
It's not uncommon for individuals to put aside their principles for the sake of convenience, but Miguna's hypocrisy is particularly glaring in this instance. His criticism of the handshake is undermined by his own past statements, which suggest that he would have benefited from such an arrangement.
Meanwhile, Raila Odinga must resist the urge to engage with Miguna's tantrums, which have zero political consequences. Instead, he should focus on strategizing how to move forward, just as the Marakwet people of old would cover their front and back with a piece of hide when approaching each other on the road.
