In his book titled “Why Baba is not the 5th”, Saitabao ole Kanchory argues that Raila Odinga’s theoretical and abstract notions do not fit well with the raw and practical pursuit of power. According to Kanchory, the game of power is a primitive and primordial affair that requires speed, fluidity, and decisiveness. He accuses Raila Odinga of not wanting power bad enough to take the often-unscrupulous measures necessary to win the presidential election.
Kanchory’s book has received mixed reactions from critics. Some have dismissed it outright while others have praised it for shedding light on untold stories. Regardless of the criticism, Kanchory’s work is an important contribution to literature. It highlights the struggle of modern man in the pursuit of power and the challenges he faces in a fast-paced game of thrones.
Kanchory’s book also reminds one of James Joyce’s short story “An Encounter” from the anthology Dubliners. In the story, an unnamed narrator and his friend set off on a journey to an exotic destination called the Pigeon House. However, their plans go awry when they encounter a strange, wild west character who thwarts their expectations.
Similarly, Kanchory’s book depicts Raila Odinga’s presidential campaign journey as a tale of dismemberment of his dreams. The Azimio team encountered the wild west of politics and failed to reach their destination, State House. Raila Odinga is painted as passive, with other people deciding his destiny. Like the narrator in Joyce’s story, he cannot act and is impotent to change the course of events.
Kanchory’s book is a reminder that there are many untold stories that need to be told. Writers should borrow a leaf from him and write their stories down for posterity. Kenyans talk too much and write very little, especially in books. If people dispute the events as told in “Why Baba is not the 5th”, they should write their rebuttals.
Chinua Achebe once said that: “Until the lions have their own historians, the history of the hunt will always glorify the hunter”. If we don’t tell our stories, we’ll lose power over our own narratives, and others will tell our stories from their own points of view. Writing our stories down allows us to take control of our narratives and preserve our history for future generations.
In conclusion, Kanchory’s book provides insight into the struggle of modern man in the pursuit of power. It highlights the challenges of the fast-paced game of thrones and the importance of speed, fluidity, and decisiveness. The book is a reminder that there are many untold stories that need to be told, and writers should borrow a leaf from Kanchory and write their stories down for posterity.
