Richard Kalembe Ndile was known to many pundits as a political opportunist and his viral entertainer per excellence captured many Kenyans’ hearts.
As Kibwezi residents mourn the death of their former leader, Uzalendo News takes a deep dive into the life and times of Kalembe Ndile, former party leader for the Tip Tip Party.
Mwingi Half-Marathon
Perhaps the most significant moment in his career, was the fight for Ukambani kingdom that saw him clash with Kalonzo Musyoka.
On this particular date, Kalembe Ndile out-ran his official vehicle, while fleeing a hostile mob baying for his blood.
Reason? He had dared insult the Wiper Supremo and dared him for a contest right in Mwingi town.
An angry mob descended on him, but Kalembe out sprinted them, boarded a moving land rover and escaped towards Nairobi. The mob wanted to lynch him. Attempts by Kalonzo to cool the mob fell on deaf ears. This incident triggered bad blood between the two, that flowed until his death.
Tip Tip Party leader
The Amani party idea, was initially conceptualized by former Kenya Times IT Engineer Mutuku Maweu.
The young man gave the party name and idea to Kalembe. The latter hurriedly registered the Party with Maweu as an official, but later kicked him out
The party morphed into the Independent Party (TIP TIP), which had a false start after none of its nominated candidates secured an election.
Kalembe Ndile merged forces with several other parties to form Jubilee Party, that delivered Uhuru presidency in 2013 and 2017.
Encounter with Nyenze
In 2007, Francis Nyenze lost the then Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya (ODM-K) ticket to Nyiva Mwendwa.
Nyenze then approached Kalembe for a ticket.
A distraught Nyenze, after receiving the ticket loudly quipped: “Politics is stupid. If I Nyenze, now have to call Kalembe Party leader? Life is unfair.”
Kalembe and Mount Kenya Mafia
The maverick politician was utilized by PNU and Mount Kenya mafia to undermine Kalonzo in 2007 and deliver votes to incumbent Mwai Kibaki.
He reportedly received payment from the PNU secretariat then headed by Nick Wanjohi and other deep state operatives.
Ukambani circles then nicknamed him a political broker.
