Many a time politicians have compared politics to games. Musalia Mudavadi tried to market himself as the equivalent of FC Barcelona's Messi before he quickly shelved it for obvious reasons.

Raila continues playing number 9 in his football political allegories over the years. What shocks me is that all peddlers of politics as a game seem to share the consciousness of the gravity of political business with regard to this election.

Save for shooting competitions, bullets, crude weapons and poisons are illegal paraphernalia in games. I have followed campaign rallies and what comes out about the ongoing electoral contest is the seriousness associated with the upcoming general elections. The other day, the Chief Justice's sought public protection from "a cabal of renegades" in government.

During the CORD rally in Voi this month, Hon James Orengo made a rare appeal to voters: "I plead with you to vote for Raila Odinga to save this country from doom.

We have come from so far and registered remarkable achievements yet all that will go to waste if you do not elect Raila as president." His concluding statement provides the punch line for this piece: "If you elect Raila, then my mission on earth is fulfilled and I will be ready to die nyinyi mnizike."

This is reminiscent of what the champion of devolution, Martin Shikuku, said: "God if this constitution is passed, take me to heaven. I will be ready."

These are not ordinary politicians. Both have been detained for championing reforms. They survived assassination at one time or the other. They fed on tear gas in the name of the people. The history of resistance to political repression in Kenya has been written by their bodies.

Similarly, Hon David Musila had strange words with which to express the gravity of this year's elections. "Those who will vote for Jubilee Alliance will suffer a curse that will extend to their grand children.

How can we take this country to the dogs when the issues are as clear as day and night?" Musila made this remarks in Makueni at another Cord rally last month. Old men of his age weigh their words at least when addressing audiences close to their homes or communities.

Another encounter was former Member of Parliament from Nandi M/s Chelagat Mutai. She called me just before the voter registration was completed.

She was not in a good health and wanted to be assisted to renew her Identity Card so that she can "cast her vote for Raila Odinga" claiming that was "the most important election of her lifetime."

After struggling to get the mighty to assist and failing, I approached the Prime Minister and asked him whether he thought the Hassan-led IEBC would create an extension of the voter registration exercise.

The PM told me "IEBC understands the terrain of our country and the imbalance in infrastructure development. I believe in the spirit of a free and fair election, IEBC will add 10 days to ensure marginalised communities are not locked out."

Armed with this source of hope from none other than the PM, I called Chelagat Mutai who was bed ridden and assured her that there will be an addition.

She accused me of misreading the politics of the nation. "If these people (Jubilee allies in government) realise that ODM zones have not performed well, they will close the exercise.

"Please, my younger brother, get Otieno Kajwang to give me an Identity Card. I don't want to miss the opportunity to be on record for forestalling disaster for my country."

M/s Mutai is Kenya's first inspiring female political radical in the Kenyatta and Moi administrations' who rose through the ranks as a radical female student leader, got imprisoned as MP, exiled and on returning from Tanzania, was denied a job all her productive years and now lives in poverty.

I was shocked when Hassan and team decided to terminate voter registration without the extension and thus locking out voters from ODM allied and marginalised regions.

I am yet to apologise to Chelagat for believing the Prime Minister and not struggling hard enough for her to renew her lost ID. Another encounter was a veteran of the Kenyan reform struggle who has never believed in exile even in the worst of times, Dr Majanja Ligabo "I am now an old man.

We have hard elections where issues have not been clear enough for the voter. If Kenyans choose to vote for ICC suspects who are also obvious anti-reformers, I sincerely may consider going to exile because there is no hope for this country for the next 50 years.

What future does this country have with young criminally inclined people at the helm of government? I will take a break never to return." Speaking to some Pokot leaders last week, the PM told them that the "election was being done under the watchful eye of their best friend, the late Bishop Alexander Muge.

Will you align yourselves with his enemies or his comrades in this election?" Muge's defense of the Pokot occasioned his death. I share these stories with my readers to show the lie that is often peddled projecting politics as a mere game.