Evans Kidero is the name on the lips of almost all Kenyans on social media today.If you have nothing to say;either to ridicule or to sympathize with this big man(or is it former big man) then you are simply losing out on the trend.Most Kenyans really didn’t see this coming.Well,talk of the man who can draw a surprise slap that even women representatives find hard to dodge!His slap was fired by one Ferdinand Waititu, this guy just like Rio Ferdinand, the Manchester United defender wont give in.Just not yet.And today, he has found Kidero at his most vulnerable of moments.
Robert Greene’s first law in the book 48 laws of Power categorically states that, “Never outshine the Master”,this it seems has never crossed the mind of the former Mumias Sugar Company boss.It most likely seems that he opted to carry with him his boardroom naivety into the murky roads of political oblivion.To even think of rising above the political patronage of Raila Amolo Odinga, the irrefutable kingpin of Luo Nyanza was a great undoing for a politician of Kidero’s stature.The master rules until h opts out after which you seek their blessings or discredit his successor.Not the political coup effected in a boardroom like fashion with stakeholders who have no stake in Luo politics!
Kidero actualized the saying that ‘Do not burn bridges that you may require on your way back’.With the frosty relationships that he currently has with his sponsor party amid audible murmurs of his over ambitiousness;he will have been the key to his own downfall.Another tale of a fast rising political career that took a sudden and certain nosedive!
A year since he was elected into office and Kidero has nothing concrete to sell to the electorate that is devoid of policy jargon.The public feeds on results they can identify with.At the moment;most can attest to the inability to tame the transport industry that continues to render the city center impassable during peak hours as well as the yet to be contained spate of violence related to terrorism activities that have made Nairobi seem like one of the most insecure places in our country today!Separation of powers? Tell that to the hawker on the streets and you will understand why a smoothly operating CBD is all that matters to them and not who makes it smooth.The inverse would however see the same low income earner point fingers at anyone and everyone in a position to influence policy.Especially the governor.
I do not expect the Jubilee government to come to the aid of the embattled governor in case it comes to re-election.And if neither will the opposition then Nairobi will soon be seeing its second governor in its first term of existence.Nairobi being the capital is definitely strategic for the ruling coalition and I bet they will be all out guns blazing to capture this seat from the paws of the opposition.A scenario where the governor would be picked as the Jubilee candidate is also far fetched bearing in mind the spirited fight lodged by his rival and main challenger in the previous general elections.
Who will come to Kidero’s aid?I would not vouch for the very influential matatu industry which must currently be hoping to sign pre-naps with the prospective county boss in a bid to get a better deal.The county assembly?Who ultimately owe their allegiances to their respective coalitions?My view, Kidero is on his own.The very path he chose when he thought that a single election victory is directly proportionate to a successful political career.
Whatever happens in the next few days will be a major determinant on the future of Kidero as the governor of this prized county.If the Supreme Court reinstated him; then he will have had the luxury of a few more years to prove a shrewd and calculative politician.If it chooses to uphold the Court of Appeal verdict then the vultures will be ready to ensure the complete erasure of any traces of Kidero’s political career.
Ooko Victor
ookoscope's Blog 