ODM hierarchy censures Kisia
Posted by African Press International on June 6, 2012
- Jeff Otieno, reporting from Kenya
Top Orange Democratic Movement (O.D.M) luminaries and a clique of their supporters are sharply divided over the latest brand of political hobbling being exhibited by former Nairobi City Town Clerk who is also angling for the city Governor Philiph Kisia.
According to a senior Cabinet Minister who is also a close protégé of the Prime Minister Raila Odinga, confided to the press early this week that senior party Mandarins are “not happy” and are questioning the campaign style of Kisia which he argued is shrouded with “insincerity and doubt”.
“Today you’re seen attending Uhuru Kenyatta’s launching, tomorrow you are marooned in Musalia Mudavadi’s , the nest day you’re embedded with Internal Security Minister George Saitoti who is also a Presidential Contender and lastly you are seen glued and cheering to the Prime Minister looking for votes, where is the honesty and ethics” the Minister quipped.
“You may describe it as the political freedom of association we’ve yawned for but to me it’s abit confusing and borders on political prostitution and gambling of the century”, he said.
Sources privy to the modus operandi of Kisia further confided to the press that almost all the Presidential contenders have been frequenting his lavish and leafy Lavington home during wee hours of the night where goat eating sessions and top of the range hot drinks flavours the sittings.
The dignitaries according to inside sources religiously lines up their pockets thanks to the former Town Clerk generosity all in desperate bid to seal political compromises.
It’s because of this closeness that has made Kisia not to distinguish between a private function and a political one which goes with perception and carries some ramifications either in short or long-term. Some of his critics also opine that his latest trademark of attending rivals functions is more to do with political gambling and lack of confidence than being politically strategic the way some of his confidants are putting it.
Kisia is by all standards and fairness a good manager though some of his critics argue that his tenure at the Council was littered with a litany of questionable financial dealings which may be a harbinger to his quest. He will also have to shed off the perception that he’s abit of an ivory tower kind of politician.
He’s slated to battle it out with industrious, pragmatic and wealthy Mumias Sugar Managing Director, Dr. Evans Odhiambo Kidero, combative Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu and Nairobi Business magnet Jimna Mbaru in what is being viewed as a battle of the titans.
Mbaru has been playing his cards close to his chest and according to his handlers he has finalized his campaign logistics and before end of July he will abrasively hit the road.
Kidero has opted for a door to door approach meeting the down trodden in the slums and also engaging with opinion shapers and key stakeholders a move which has really catapulted his bid ahead of the polls.
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