The Position of
Embu County in Kenya's Succession Politics
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| Embu Governor Martin Wambora (Right) has become a close ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta |
My attention has been drawn to an
article published in the digital edition of 'The Standard' some time back. Upon
perusal of the same, it was clear why the publication did not get to appear in
the print edition of the esteemed newspaper.
For one, editors are more interested
in facts than personal opinions. Two, while voicing his opinion, the writer
made his work read like cliché; full of assumptions and unsubstantiated
assertions that indicate high levels of 'herd' mentality, leaking of
self-doubt and a lack of moral standing.
In the article, titled 'Why the Embu nation needs to rethink political
marriages and future', the obviously biased writer, one Charles Bazenga
asserts that Embu County is a mere garnish in the GEMA outfit; that the
community's political leaders lack the clout to ascend to power and that they
have always been side-lined when government structure is laid out. Just how
wrong can one go?
As it has been said of old, 'opinion
is free - facts are sacred', I will articulate fact after fact to prove that
Embu County is indeed a gem in Kenya's succession politics today.
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| Embu-born Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki, Lieutenant General Leonard Ngondi and National Assembly Speaker Hon. Justin Muturi are highly placed leaders in kenya today. PHOTO: Courtesy. |
First of all, the incumbent governor
of Embu, H.E. Martin Wambora E.G.H is currently the president's appointee as
the Coordinator of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBi) in Mt. Kenya East. The
region comprises of Kirinyaga County, Embu County, Tharaka Nithi County and
Meru County. What more influence would one need to have over the GEMA setup?
President Uhuru Kenyatta has consistently expressed his desire to have keen,
eager, honest and hard-working personalities to help him deliver the agenda
that he promised Kenyans. Clearly, he has found one in Governor Wambora.
However, as biased as the writer may
have been, he did well to recognize the late Hon. Kamwithi Munyi who not only
represented Embu people in government for the longest period but also served as
the Minister for Agriculture and Cooperative Development. The Ministry is held
in high esteem to date, owing to the fact that agriculture is the major
economic activity in most parts of Kenya - the main bread basket.
Let it not be forgotten too, that the
late Kamwithi Munyi will always be remembered as one among the three Embu
leaders who were ever honored with the presidential commendation of the Order
of the Golden Heart (O.G.H). The other two leaders who are Elders of the Golden
Heart are the current Embu Senator Hon. Njeru Ndwiga and Embu Governor, Martin
Nyaga Wambora. This enviable world-wide recognition goes to leaders who have
exhibited exemplary values in their service to humanity and the nation in
matters business, academia and/or politics. Throughout the region, no other
community has managed to have three of its political leaders thus feted despite
the fact that Embu is the smallest amongst them; with about 600,000 people.
The writer's reasoning that it is all
about 'tyranny of numbers' and that Embu County can only be used as a stepping
stone by larger communities does not hold water. One does not have to be from a
major community to rise to great heights in government leadership. Take for
instance Tanzania; all the men who have taken the mantle of that country as
presidents have originated from minority communities. That's a clear indication
that such so called small communities as Embu, actually have better chances of
producing a president than the larger ethnic groups.
Going back to great leaders born and
bred in Embu, isn't it logical then to argue that the two living legends among
the three mentioned above still hold much clout, and will go a long way in the
formation of the government in future Kenya? Again, isn't Embu the only County
of such meager size that has ever produced the highest number of senior
administrative leaders in the former Ministry of State for Provincial
Administration and Internal Security, as Provincial Commissioner (P.C) District
Officers (D.O) and District Commissioners (D.C)? Consider the likes of former
P.C Mbuo Waganagwa, former D.C Cyrus Gituai, who later took the position
of Permanent Secretary for Internal Security. Gituai is currently a
presidential appointee as a member of State Corporations Advisory Committee.
Other sons of Embu who have been of service to the nation as District Officer
and District Commissioner are Martin Wambora and Jeremiah Nyaga
respectfully.
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File photo of former Minister Jeremiah Nyaga
and his sons Joseph, Norman and Nahashon. |
In fact, the late Hon. Jeremiah
Nyaga, father to former Kamukunji MP Norman Nyaga, former Central Bank of Kenya
(CBK) Governor Nahashon Nyaga and vibrant politician Joe Nyaga, is fondly
remembered to have been the one who addressed the Lancaster Conference just
before Kenya gained independence. The statesman proceeded to become a strongman
in the ruling Party (KANU) and a crucial ally of former President Daniel arap
Moi. He was the main representative of the larger Mt Kenya region, comprising
of Embu County, Kirinyaga County and Nyeri County in the Legislative Council
(LEGCO); the pre-colonial Kenya parliament.
Talking of pre-colonial Kenya, let it
again be remembered as a matter of fact, that among the greatest leaders of the
Maumau movement who fought for freedom alongside Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi were
Field Marshal Musa Mwariama and General Kubukubu, both true sons of Embu.
What does all this tell us then: that
Embu County, as less populous as it is, has produced some of the greatest
leaders, not only in history but to date, whereby she continues to give Kenya
the cream of the society. All the above great leaders, among many others not
mentioned in this paper, have inspired, nurtured, mentored and continue to
positively influence many among the youth, so that there shall be no shortage
of firm and ambitious leaders who can in future negotiate for a share of the
government.
Contrary to the offensive writer's
fallacious argument, the 'Land of Opportunities' indeed has got able leaders,
even some with presidential ambitions. Didn't Hon. Joe Nyaga come third in the
last election, as a first time presidential candidate?
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| Kenya's first president. the late Mzee Jomo Kenyatta (left) with Maumau freedom fighters; Field Marshals Musa Mwariama and Dedan Kimathi. PHOTO:Courtesy |
It is through such heroes that Embu
County has been able to provide Kenya with some very highly placed leaders in
government including the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Water, Sanitation and
Irrigation, Ms. Sicily Kanini Kariuki (formerly CS, Health) and Lieutenant
General Leonard Muriuki Ngondi, who is currently the Commandant of National Defence
College. Ngondi has had a distinguished career with the Kenya Defence Forces
(KDF) serving this country for over 39 years. Finally, who is the third most
powerful person in government if not the Speaker of the National Assembly? As
we all know, the man who holds this mighty position is another true son of
Embu; none other than Hon. Justin Muturi!
