By Anderson Ojwang
The excitement and anticipation of the return of Wamunyoro from his three weeks visits of US that was hyped to resemble that of “Baba while you were away” mantra crumbled on his face.
The country , specifically the Nairobian had hoped for a public holiday on his return as was witnessed during the return of National Super Alliance (NASA) presidential candidate Raila Odinga in May 2014 and the recent Genz actioned public holidays.
But for Wamunyoro, the impeached deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, it was a theatre of confusion, disorganization and disorientation that left him gasping for air as his security details fought their way to his waiting car.
The chaos at the airport was symbolic of the current situation at the united opposition alliance, that is fighting to survive, months after its inception.
The chest thumbing DCP officials and members had hyped the return and alleged of a plot by the government and a section of Nairobi politicians of scheming to disrupt the ceremony.
Unlike Baba’s return, that granted Kenyans a public holiday and witnessed a well organized reception but turned into a battle field between the police and the supporters. It was a heroic moment.
Baba eventually and victorious snaked his way into the CBD despite hail of teargas and gunshots.
It was a sea of humanity as thousands of his supporters and NASA leaders flocked the airport and CBD to welcome him back home. The support system was organic, massive and breath taking.
For Wamunyoro, who is trying to fit into the huge shoes of Raila as the official opposition leader, found himself as a pale shadow of Baba, untested, disorganized, unprepared, and lack the never die organic support system.
The play
The setting, theme, location are the same but the main characters and times are different. The script is written in the USA with the action location destined for Nairobi, Kenya.
The theme, return, subtitled “While You Were Away”. The first main character is Baba in May 2014 on his return to Kenya from US.
The phrase was aimed at welcoming and updating Raila on the failings of Jubilee administration following his three-month sojourn in the United States.
The second main character, is Wamunyoro on his return to Kenya from the US tour in 2025. Wamunyoro, who was expected to tour US for two months was forced to cut short his visit to just only three weeks.
The play within a play
As the play rolls out, Gachagua finds himself at the crossroad of the geopolitics and his significance in the world order. Unlike Raila, rated and ranked highly, Gachagua is still neophyte and yet to cut his teeth beyond. He is a new entrant and find himself thrown out of the kings palace.
He wrote on hos x handle “I regret being unable to visit the remaining states on my itinerary as I need to return home to join our party in preparing for the upcoming by-elections in various parts of the country,” he said.
Gachagua apologized to Kenyans he was unable to meet, noting that the engagements had been rescheduled to early next year. He added that he would take a few days to rest before heading back and would make his travel itinerary public.
“I thank the Kenyans in the States for the love, warmth, and hospitality they accorded us. I salute the organizers and officials of the DCP chapters for superb planning, organization, and meticulous coordination. You are simply the best,” he said.
But enters a new character in president William Ruto who announces of his September visit. This came hot in the heels after he met US Ambassador Carla Benin.
“Next month in the United States, I will meet with the Recording Academy, organizers of the Grammy Awards, to fast-track plans for establishing world-class studios here in Kenya and to set in motion the journey towards eventually hosting an African edition of the Grammy Awards in Nairobi.” Ruto said.
The Ambassador assured Ruto that Kenya remains central in its US-Africa policy.
“Kenya remains central to US-Africa policy and when we do something in Africa, we do it in Kenya first. There is a reason for that because of our shared interests in alignment, governance, rule of law and democracy.
This visit in particular is really exciting because when we look at Kenya, its leadership in AI, agriculture and green energy to California interest in smart agriculture , energy generation, the embassy will continue to lead on that front in encouraging US investments.in the country,” she said.
Ruto said “ Your coming here is a great expression of friendship. It is a moment for us, to take our engagements to a whole new level. I am very happy that this morning you have engaged with the colleagues from different sectors in our country.
We appreciate that you have chosen Kenya to be your foot print around our continent and I promise you Infront of these good people here , my colleagues from Kenya that we are ready and willing to partner and to see what we can do together in a mutually beneficial engagement between our two countries,” he said.
The Return
Whereas, Raila’s return, his supporters were blocked from gaining entry to the Jomo Kenyatta Airport, and ugly scenes of running battles between the police and supporters were witnessed.
For Wamunyoro supporters were allowed to gain entry to the facility, where commotion was witnessed at the JKIA as his supporters thronged the premises, chanting his name while awaiting him to pass the checkpoint.
Hundreds of his supporters thronged JKIA to welcome him back but what was meant to be a triumphant return quickly descended into violent chaos.
Despite a heavy police presence surrounding the airport, supporters blocked one of the international arrival gates much to the surprise of arriving tourists overwhelming officers.
Groups of young men and motorbike riders hurled stones at his motorcade, in a chaotic melee that police attempted to disperse with tear gas.
The CBD remained calm and normal while police officers stationed along Mombasa road and Nyayo stadium round about had a holiday, no action was witnessed.
Gachagua wrote on his X handle “Thank you, my great people of Kenya for love.
I am happy to be back home.”
