The season of political endorsements is nigh. And elders or whatever is left of them are laughing all the way to the bank tellers. – By Henry Kimoli
In Kenya, political leaders often turn to communal leaders for insights on how to govern their communities. However, the elders are no longer taking goats for political advice.
As the country heads to the polls in almost a year, presidential hopefuls are running wild trying to seek favour in these elders who have been cashing in on rituals.
Speaker Justin Muturi – GEMA
The National Assembly speaker is a political soul mate of President Uhuru Kenyatta. He was Uhuru’s PA during their KANU days together.
Muturi was endorsed by Kikuyu Elders two weeks ago. Reason? He wants to be the GEMA candidate for the post Uhuru coalition that excludes DP William Ruto
Challenge
Muturi is a Mbeere, a small community domiciled in Embu County. The Mbeeres are an offshoot of Kamba immigrants into Mount Kenya East.
This has ranked him to an outsider into the thick of GEMA politics. Unless he gels with his Meru and Embu cousins to form a formidable coalition.
Nevertheless, he paid handsome sum to the elders to get their nod.
Muturi is angling to be President Kenyatta’s representative in the Kalonzo, Mudavadi, Gideon and Wetangula orbit.
With the Nyaga dynasty now waning, Muturi is the senior most Mbeere man and is seen as the community’s undisputed spokesperson going forward.
Gideon Moi
The Baringo Senator is locked in a vicious battle for the Kalenjin vote with DP Ruto.
To grab the Kalenjin attention, he attempted to access the Talai Shrine for endorsement by the elders.
DP Ruto’s boys blocked the move and barricaded the venue. But not before Gideon had paid a handsome sum to the racketeering cartel that brokered the move.
Kaya elders
These have endorsed every one who has found his way to their makeshift forest. Every Coast Governor, from flamboyant Ali Hassan Joho to Kilifi’s fast rising Amason Kingi; and Taita Taveta’s Graton Samboja.
The end result is to get a photo opportunity and milk the attendant publicity.
The biggest beneficiary has been Raila Odinga. He remains the most popular national leader in Coast province.
Weren’t it not for the Covid 19 regulations, Mombasa would have been a bee hive of activity, due to the infiltration of the tangatanga faction led by DP Ruto.
Omugusii elders
These are expected to endorse Dr. Fred Matiang’i and hand him the Omugusii torch to fight for the political interests of the community.
Abagusii occupy large swathes of South Nyanza, but have a sizeable diaspora presence in Kajiado, Machakos, Narok and Mombasa.
The community is fiercely cohesive and was the swing vote state for Uhuru in 2017 and Raila in 2013.
Abagusii will demand a fair share of political goodies in the pre and post 2022 coalition. The burly Matiangi has long been rumoured to fly their flag.
