When the gods want to destroy a man, they first make him mad

It was the legendary Chinua Achebe who once quipped,’ When the gods want to destroy a man, they first make him mad,’

A fortnight ago, Kenyans were treated to yet another political drama when the Prime Minister Raila Odinga descended on to Kondele grounds on the fringes of Kisumu city armed with a bible.

The PM is said to have equated himself with Jesus of Nazareth, and also reminded the crowds that just like Jesus, he has suffered but he is alive.

The PM also condemned last week’s ruling by the Supreme Court, which upheld the win by President and vice president elect Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto as the duly elected leaders in the March 4 polls.

“Supreme court ishindwe, shindwe!” he chanted in unison with his die hard supporters.

And social media was awash with reactions and counteraccusations as Kenyans again tore each other to parts in line with their ethnic affiliations.

“I wonder how low the PM can sink, this was a whole new low.” Wrote Mustapha

“When will he move on with his life, he lost,, period,” asserted another Kenyan.

According to Kevin Amwatsi* Raila odinga has really failed his followers who have started to realize how pedestrian he has become following the court’s decision.

“Si Mjinyonge, U stole our victory!”(Kill yourselves you thieves, you stole our victory) screamed Owano Felstus.

Raila told supporters that the Supreme Court had teamed up with the enemies of development to end his political career.

Word has it that he might make a comeback into house politics, and plans are underway to either nominate him to parliament or prevail upon an ODM MP to step down for him so that a by election could be held where he will vie for MP.

My canon ball tells me that he might get another thrashing at the ballot if he results to such unorthodox theatrics of divisive politics.

A number of MPs were heard claiming that without the duo of PM Raila and outgoing VP Kalonzo Musyoka, the government will run roughshod on them(Opposition) thereby reducing the country to a one party state.

“The duo will keep the government of the day on its toes,” said an ODM MP who sought anonymity.

Raila and Kalonzo are yet to comment on this developing possibility.

On using or misusing the bible, Raila might attract the wrath of God to the people, a face book friend told me.

“This man will not escape the wrath of God, he has mocked him, while blaming his political detractors, let us pray that God does not punish the whole country for one man’s carelessness,” commented Wasike Geoffrey* on Facebook.

While Raila and his ilk think that the newly elected set of leaders will not deliver the goods and will instead shepherd us to doom, let’s wait and see what happens, because, no one is a prophet to know what will happen, an old man told this writer.

I end where I started, ”When a mad man walks naked, it’s his kinsmen who feel the shame,” Chinua Achebe, May his soul rest in peace, once said in his fourth novel, A Man of the people.

*Not the real names.