END OF WEEK KENYA POLITICS
The realisation that the Big Man in the House on the Hill is a juggernaut in central Kenya began with Mathioya MP JJ Kamotho. And it’s spreading and has now struck Ntonyiri MP Maoka Maore. Who will be next? Just watch Siakago MP Justin Muturi and his Gatundu South counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta. Flashback to the referendum when the four gentlemen waxed eloquent, in ODM, how they didn’t care about tribal affiliation. But they are politicians and 2005 was so long ago. Now it’s time for realpolitik!
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Many ODM-Kenya presidential hopefuls have returned their nomination papers with a lot of pomp and fanfare. Kalonzo Musyoka went Obama-style and Musalia Mudavadi and Julia Ojiambo were Isikuti-escorted. Why did William Ruto return his papers by night?
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Why do activists fair badly in politics while the dye-in-the-wood politicians succeed? It’s not the Gitobu Imanyaras, Paul Muites, Anyang’ Nyong’os and Mwandawiro Mghangas who command choreography tunes in the political dance. They flop because saying the good things and quoting Oscar Wilde never a great politician made. It’s the Daniel Mois, Mwai Kibakis and Raila Odingas who take the prize home. They smile at you and you smile back — and you fail to see the killer punch!
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When history is finally written, Musikari Kombo will take a substantial chapter as the best deal cutter in favour of his allies. Take the Eala controversy. Ford-Kenya was a key cog in the opposition of nominees. MP Bifwoli Wakoli mourned Luhya-style when Uncle Moody was hell bent on pushing the list. But at the last minute, the party threw its weight behind the list. Now there is a talk that a party darling is going places. After the referendum, the party had a record ministers in the Cabinet.
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And finally...
If an advert from the Public Trustee is anything to go by, US Senator and Democrats’ presidential aspirant Barack Obama has no reason to worry about campaign cash. The Trustee has asked dependants to contact her for payment of dues under the Civil Servants Group Accident Scheme. Obama’s father was a senior civil servant and died in a road accident in 1982. Cash beckons from Kenya.
