Words have pawa. The best illustration is God’s “let there be and there was” during creation.

Edwin Sifuna’s dismissal of Dr Oburu Odinga-led faction of the ODM invoking the word “mediocrity” has been treated as a God-send for social media warriors. Some kind of manna for Oburu’s allies in a seemingly dry desert of alternative ideas or words. This is as it should be in any contest.

In a beauty contest, it’s the ugly spots of the opponent that score points for you. In the Oburu’s faction’s thinking, “mediocrity” is not just a distortion of reality but an insult to a leader. The debate and the ensuing criticism of Sifuna’s “ugly” word provokes reflections on the power of words and small things that sometimes lead to disproportionate and unintended impact.

A similar experience happened to me in my youth. I was running for the chairmanship of SONU (Students Organisation of Nairobi University) in 1986. We had done our groundwork well and it seemed like victory was inevitable.

However, Kennedy Wainaina Maguta (who later died in exile in Norway) and Peter Owino Ranginya suggested that we write an article that would be critical of all candidates including myself but be harder on my opponents.

Indeed, when the article was pinned on walls in the university, it packaged me as the best option despite my stated shortcomings.

Current Bungoma County Governor, Kenneth Lusaka thought the criticisms levelled against me could not go unchallenged. Lusaka published another leaflet accusing third year students as the authors of the first leaflet. Unhappy with the attack on me, he described the author as a TTY (tired third year) student.

Those three words turned the tide. Third year students who had endorsed my candidature in a meeting in Tom Mboya Hostel decided to “teach us a lesson.” A partnership was built with the university administration that saw our team floored albeit irregularly.

Last year, Kenneth Lusaka, as governor, inadvertently released another game challenging phrase.

“You do not do a milk supply agreement over evening milk.” Actually evening milk from a cow is usually unpredictable in quantities. In other words people should not harass him over services since he is in his last term as governor.

His words, though factual, did not just annoy his voters but it has put Wycliffe Wangamati’s bid for a second and final term in 2027 in trouble as well.

“A governor who has no chance for a second term might become arrogant” is the new wisdom. Once again, an innocent utterance is affecting the fortunes of the innocent the same way the word “mediocrity” has been used against the Linda Mwanainchi movement.

Raila Odinga’s long and rich political career is not without a slip of the tongue. However, let us first look at the verbal blunder we would have expected him to make but he didn’t.

Raila was consistently voted out by Mount Kenya communities but nowhere is he quoted making wholesale condemnations of this communities. That caution has qualified him for major roles in national cohesion interventions at times of need. This is a legacy that must be taught in history classes.

For taking that political stand, he was treading in the footsteps of his father Jaramogi who did not make respectable electoral inroads in the mountain. This contrasts sharply with current leaders’ political spittle.

Current mainstream leaders from these two departed leaders’ backyard are the complete opposite of the two departed national leaders. Pursuing “real development and personal gain” from the status quo is their justifying billboard and excuse for their current stand.

In 2017, the Mr Clean like Cotton, Raila Odinga, blundered at a campaign rally in Homa Bay. He labelled women in a language that was derogatory and inconsistent with his known political beliefs. Lucky him, his morally upright history deleted this slip of the brain or tongue from the black book of records. It never features in national political discussions.

In similar manner, Edwin Sifuna’s known obsession with the truth in his brief political history may have absolved him from the uncomfortable truth captured in the word “mediocrity” which he reiterated at the Tononoka rally in Mombasa.

Sifuna’s uncle, Lawrence Sifuna, who was Kanduyi MP similarly had a fight with his ruling KANU party leadership in his days in the 80s. He declared then Secretary-General of KANU Robert Matamo as “deadwood”.

The word captured headlines. This proclamation was an act of bravery just like Edwin’s “mediocrity” is in reference to the Oburu-led ODM leadership.

Words change history’s course, they obliterate fortunes, create divisions in society and set nations on roads to disintegration or unity. That’s why major speeches are often written and read.

In this regard, perhaps the worst utterance that ever came from a national leader was from founding President Jomo Kenyatta in Kisumu in 1969. Jomo was trying to distort the ideological differences between KANU and KPU.

At a national function in Kisumu, Jomo said: “Wewe Odinga na watu wako wachafu” (You Odinga and your dirty (Luo) people”).

He was invoking cultural differences on matters initiation into manhood. Those words among other issues cemented the rift between the two nationalities – the Luo and the Kikuyu. As a direct result, Jomo died before revisiting Luoland.

Kenya’s efforts in achieving a progressive political transition in national consciousness continues to be undermined by memories of Jomo’s ugly and irresponsible words. Sifuna’s so called “ugly” word is comparatively a passing cloud, however much its significance is overplayed.

A semi-illiterate man who features prominently in Luhya history is Prophet Elijah Masinde of the Dini ya Musambwa religion. The man left memorable words:

Bung’ali neende bunyindafu (Truth and courage). These three words have found their way in sections of our community – the Luhyia – psyche inspiring persons who usually make a mark in our community politics. I hope I am not an exception.

Many leaders stay in political office but despite their long periods, they expire and leave nothing worth remembering.

Edwin Sifuna, so far, has Elijah Masinde’s courage and speaks many truths. The word “mediocrity” is an uncomfortable truth period! Sifuna has acres of space on his side to make better statements that will define his legacy.

Words make or destroy. Mind your tongue buddy. Need I talk about Peter Okondo’s remark on Bishop Alexander Muge before Muge died? No need.

• A Tell Media report / By Wafula Buke – Mr Buke is an opposition political strategist and former political detainee