Kasmuel McOure traveled to Addis Ababa two weeks ago through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Like other Kenyans who went there, he probably told his family something about his trip. Many might believe he went to support former Prime Minister Raila Odinga during the African Union Commission elections. Does that reason make sense for booking a flight, going through security checks, and eating Ethiopian food for days?
Consider what help McOure could offer Raila, who faced tough political battles throughout his career. When Raila fought against government oppression during the 1980s, McOure likely hadn't been born yet. Raila already had strong support from his wife Ida, close family members, his staff, and high-ranking government officials, including the President. These facts suggest he needed no extra encouragement from McOure or similar people.
McOure and his friends were neither official delegates nor invited observers at the AU meeting. Most watched events from cheap apartments or hotel lobbies, where they bothered other guests with noise and political talk. Their loud presence added nothing to the vote results, as shown by their empty reactions after Raila lost. During all their noise and excitement, chances for last-minute strategies disappeared.
Evidence suggests McOure and others who traveled to Addis Ababa cared little about Raila himself. They focused on themselves and future political opportunities. Like those who traveled to The Hague between 2010 and 2015, winning or losing mattered less than being seen "supporting" their political hero at an important moment. From this situation, we can learn about politics based on false images and public displays.
The politics of illusions creates short-term benefits but long-term costs. For ten years, Kenya's progress slowed because supporters played political games during the ICC period. The Addis travelers hope to turn Raila's defeat into momentum for the 2027 elections. Many failed politicians want to use this situation for their own gain. Public displays mean almost nothing in diplomatic efforts.
This approach failed in 2012 when Kenyans crowded the AU meetings, trying to delay Kenyan court cases. Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka's highly visible diplomatic efforts produced no results. The same happened with the publicized campaigns for Raila led by Professor Makau Mutua. These examples show how political showmanship often fails to achieve real diplomatic goals.
Consider what help McOure could offer Raila, who faced tough political battles throughout his career. When Raila fought against government oppression during the 1980s, McOure likely hadn't been born yet. Raila already had strong support from his wife Ida, close family members, his staff, and high-ranking government officials, including the President. These facts suggest he needed no extra encouragement from McOure or similar people.
McOure and his friends were neither official delegates nor invited observers at the AU meeting. Most watched events from cheap apartments or hotel lobbies, where they bothered other guests with noise and political talk. Their loud presence added nothing to the vote results, as shown by their empty reactions after Raila lost. During all their noise and excitement, chances for last-minute strategies disappeared.
Evidence suggests McOure and others who traveled to Addis Ababa cared little about Raila himself. They focused on themselves and future political opportunities. Like those who traveled to The Hague between 2010 and 2015, winning or losing mattered less than being seen "supporting" their political hero at an important moment. From this situation, we can learn about politics based on false images and public displays.
The politics of illusions creates short-term benefits but long-term costs. For ten years, Kenya's progress slowed because supporters played political games during the ICC period. The Addis travelers hope to turn Raila's defeat into momentum for the 2027 elections. Many failed politicians want to use this situation for their own gain. Public displays mean almost nothing in diplomatic efforts.
This approach failed in 2012 when Kenyans crowded the AU meetings, trying to delay Kenyan court cases. Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka's highly visible diplomatic efforts produced no results. The same happened with the publicized campaigns for Raila led by Professor Makau Mutua. These examples show how political showmanship often fails to achieve real diplomatic goals.
