By Kennedy Ondiek
Kenyan politics has long been a battleground of power struggles, betrayals, and shifting allegiances, but there is an eerie consistency in certain events that warrants deeper reflection. Is it merely coincidence, divine intervention, or could there be unseen forces at play in the country’s political scene? As I delve into these questions, it becomes increasingly difficult to ignore the troubling patterns that have emerged in Kenya’s history.
From the mysterious illnesses of electoral commission chairmen to the untimely deaths of prominent political figures, one has to wonder: are these merely unfortunate coincidences, or are there supernatural forces governing the fate of political figures?
The Strange Parallels: Chebukati and Kivuitu’s Fate
Two men, two elections, and two remarkably similar fates. This is not just a quirky statistical coincidence—there is a pattern here that begs attention. Samuel Kivuitu, the former chairman of the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK), presided over the controversial 2007 presidential election. After announcing Mwai Kibaki as the winner, Kivuitu became the target of widespread backlash and political tension. Two years, seven months, and 23 days after the announcement, Kivuitu passed away in 2013.
Fast forward to 2022. Wafula Chebukati, the chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), declared William Ruto as Kenya’s fifth president. Much like Kivuitu, Chebukati faced immense public scrutiny, and soon after making his announcement, he fell ill. Exactly two years, seven months, and 22 days after declaring Ruto the winner, Chebukati died. The parallels between Kivuitu and Chebukati’s fates are undeniably striking. Both men oversaw contested elections, both faced intense public backlash, and both suffered sudden health issues after declaring Raila Odinga as the loser.
Could this be mere coincidence, or is there something more sinister at play? Some might argue that it is the toll of presiding over contentious, bitterly contested elections. However, given the eerily similar outcomes, one must ask whether there is a deeper, perhaps supernatural force at work.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga and the Curse of Betrayal
To understand the potential spiritual or supernatural dimensions of Kenya’s political history, we must turn to the figures who shaped the early years of independence. One of the most chilling examples of betrayal and its consequences is the story of Omollo Agar, the first MP for Karachuonyo. Agar, who allied with Tom Mboya and Lawrence Sagini against Jaramogi Oginga Odinga during KANU’s internal power struggles, reportedly faced a curse from Jaramogi himself. As the story goes, Jaramogi warned:
“Eeh, Omollo Agar, you are the one who can carry an outsider high up and walk around the room and bring him before me? The world will judge you!”
Soon after, Agar was involved in a mysterious road accident, leaving him permanently paralyzed. He was last seen in public at the funeral of Argwings Kodhek, another political figure whose death remains shrouded in mystery. Agar passed away shortly thereafter. Many Luo elders believe that Jaramogi’s curse had indeed been fulfilled, a powerful reminder that political betrayal can bring dire consequences.
Similarly, Tom Mboya’s tragic assassination in 1969 raised suspicions that it, too, was the result of political forces at play. Jaramogi’s influence on Mboya’s fate remains an unsettling mystery. Could it be that these untimely deaths were not simply the result of political rivalries, but rather the manifestation of supernatural forces in play?
Dr. Robert Ouko and the Mysterious Forces
Dr. Robert Ouko’s untimely murder in 1990 is another example of Kenya’s political landscape, where the line between politics and fate becomes blurred. A loyal minister in President Moi’s government, Ouko’s death remains one of Kenya’s greatest political mysteries. After aligning with the ruling government, Ouko was found brutally murdered under circumstances that are still unclear. Was Ouko’s death simply a political consequence of the time, or did it carry an invisible, supernatural weight, like those before him?
Raila Odinga’s Political Struggles and the Curse of Jaramogi
Perhaps the most debated and poignant example of Kenya’s political fate lies in the story of Raila Odinga, the son of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga. For many, the narrative surrounding Raila’s repeated failures to secure the presidency cannot be detached from the alleged curse his father placed on him. According to political folklore, after Raila defied his father in the 1990s, Jaramogi reportedly warned:
“Ng’at ma ok nyal duogo kadhodha e piny ni ok nyal bedo ruoth” (The one who Both return my rightful place in this land shall never rule)
This alleged curse has been used to explain Raila’s repeated failures in presidential elections. Despite commanding massive support and coming close to the presidency multiple times, Raila’s efforts have been thwarted, often by forces beyond his control. Is this the result of a political system that favors certain individuals over others, or is it truly a curse placed upon Raila by his own father?
Raila’s five presidential bids—1997, 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022—have been marred by allegations of electoral malpractice, state interference, and systemic challenges. Could Jaramogi’s words have been prophetic, or do they merely reflect the harsh realities of Kenya’s entrenched political systems? Either way, Raila’s journey underscores the cyclical nature of Kenya’s political struggles, and it leaves us wondering if his fate is indeed tied to forces beyond his control.
Superstition or Political Reality?
The questions surrounding the mysterious events in Kenya’s political history are unsettling. Is there something more than mere superstition at play, or are these events simply the result of political machinations, with history being used as a cover? While political assassinations, accidents, and illnesses can be explained by rational factors—foul play, stress, or pure chance—the repeating patterns in Kenya’s political landscape leave one wondering whether there is a deeper spiritual force shaping these destinies.
As Kenya continues to navigate its turbulent political waters, one thing remains clear: in the brutal game of power, the past often shapes the present, and those who rise must always watch their backs. Whether we attribute it to fate, political maneuvering, or unseen forces, the inescapable truth is that in Kenya’s politics, some patterns are simply too striking to ignore.
Kennedy Ondiek is a lawyer, governance expert, political commentator, and former legislator.
About the Author
