YOUR EASTER STORY: THE AFFLICTIONS OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN are Many...

...but the Lord delivers him from them all.

As we remember the persecution, crucification and resurrection of Jesus Christ this Easter, we are reminded of the above words spoken by King David many many years ago. The heroic ancient King of Israel recorded in his Psalms that;

 'Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.' - Psalms 34:19.

As such, any wise person who seeks knowledge is led by the Holy Spirit of God to interpret the scriptures by relating what happened centuries ago to political shenanigans of today. Now before you imagine that I'm about to carry on about Kenya's Miguna Miguna, it is important to be clear about the meaning of righteousness. It is goodness, virtue, virtuousness, uprightness, decency, integrity, worthiness, rectitude, probity, morality, ethicalness, high-mindedness, justice, honesty, honour, honourableness, innocence, blamelessness, guiltlessness, irreproachability, sinlessness, saintliness, purity, nobility, noble-mindedness, piety or piousness. A righteous man therefore is one who exhibits any or all of these qualities. Mr. Miguna hardly possesses any of these.

Miguna Miguna (left) when he witnessed the swearing in of Raila as the people's president on 30 January 2018; the man's character is certainly the antonym of righteousness (Antonym means opposite)

If there is a man in Kenyan politics today who appears to be righteous is one Martin Wambora, the governor of Embu county. This man has undergone much persecution all because he wouldn't allow looters to play dirty and squander his county government's funds. He has however overcome all over and over again, till he came to be famed as the governor having the nine lives of the proverbial cat.

Harassed: Governor Wambora at Nyeri Law Courts 
during his first Impeachment

Mr Wambora’s first impeachment attempt four years ago was invalidated by the High Court on the basis that the Speaker of Embu County Assembly then, Kariuki Mate and Assembly Clerk Jim Kauma had acted in contempt of court by allowing debate on the motion. The decision was upheld by the Court of Appeal. Afterwards, former Senator Lenny Kivuti’s running mate in 2017 elections, Mr Emilio Kathuri argued in court that since Mr Wambora’s impeachment was later quashed on the basis of the now annulled contempt of court allegations, the January 16, 2014 process stands. That way, Wambora's tribulations were brought up afresh. Nevertheless the court of appeal judges ruled that there was no clear evidence that Wambora acted in gross violation of the Constitution warranting his impeachment motion. Wambora was impeached twice in his first term but fought through his ouster bids to complete his first term.

Governor Wambora feels the heat of his tribulations

As if the afflictions were not enough, the Embu High Court in February 2018 nullified the election of Governor Martin Wambora on the grounds that it was marred with irregularities which undermined the electoral process. This was after his major competitor Lenny Kivuti, who got 96,775 votes against Wambora’s 97,760, filed a petition following the August 8, 2017 election insisting the poll was not free and fair. Justice William Musyoka ordered the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct a fresh election in accordance with the law. The ruling came after the court had ordered a recount, scrutiny and examination of the votes on January 18, 2018 to verify the authenticity of the results declared by the IEBC, whereby it was established that Wambora had won by right. Governor Wambora has since filed an appeal of which the outcome is yet to be known. The hearing of the appeal is supposedly set to be on 21 May 2018.

Mr Emilio Kathuri (left) with former Embu senator Lenny Kivuti after they challenged Wambora's victory in court. PHOTO: courtesy of the standard digital

Just as Jesus Christ overcame ridicule, assault​ and death by his resurrection on the third day, so shall every man who believes and lives by his Divine teachings be a conqueror. Governor Wambora, who is a firm believer is such a man, and as it is written;

'...in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us', - Romans 8:37  

Conclusion? Wambora is bound to overcome again!

HUMILITY COMES BEFORE HONOUR; Meet Hon. Terry Mbuchi, the Budding Star of Kyeni North

Hon. Terry Mbuchi, nominated MCA, Embu County Assembly

It is written, in Proverbs 15:33;

'The fear of the LORD is the instruction of wisdom; and before honour is humility'.

As many of us converge at our various respective places of worship, let me take this opportunity to give a testimony of one Hon. Terry Mbuchi, nominated MCA to the County Assembly of Embu. 

Those who have met this young lady can attest to her meekness, both in word and deed. On only one occasion was she seen to lose her temper and throw a tantrum that cowed not only her offenders but also the driver, conductor and passengers in the matatu she was commuting on.

Hon. Terry Mbuchi takes the oath of office at Embu County
Assembly chambers in the presence of Governor Martin 
Wambora (far back, right)

It was one fine evening in July 2017, a time when campaigns towards the August elections had really gathered heat. Terry was commuting from Karurumo, her place of work then, to Embu town. Almost everyone in the matatu was obsessed with politics, loudly analyzing the three major gubernatorial candidates in Embu, namely Lenny Kivuti, Kithinji Kiragu and the incumbent governor, Martin Wambora.

Embu County Governor Martin Wambora (right) with County Firt Lady Theresia Wambora in a past photo, after the appointment of Deputy Governor, David Kariuki (centre) 

Terry calmly listened to them until somebody contemptuously asked, 

          

         "What has Wambora done for us to deserve reelection?"

Before anyone could respond, Hon. Mbuchi erupted like a volcano! 

          

          "How can you ask such a question. Does it mean that even    you can't see all that Embu County has achieved under                    Wambora's leadership?" 

Now the gentleman was a known beneficiary of the vocational college where Terry worked. He momentarily lost his composure on realizing who his challenger was. 

Before he could recover, Terry went ahead to convincingly pinpoint some of governor Wambora's most visible accomplishments, starting with the Youth Polytechnic where the gentleman's wife worked too. Believe you me, the number of the development projects enumerated thereof were too many to fit in this article. All of them will be made known to you in the sequel to this story, in due time. However, by the end of her argument, she had managed to convince everyone in the vehicle that Wambora was the best governor that Embu people could ever hope to get.

Students at Karurumo Youth Polytechnic - one of Governor
Wambora's projects

The most amazing thing about this young leader is that even after her nomination to the enviable position of MCA, she never changed her good-natured attitude towards the common mwananchi! She is still as humble as ever, finding time to listen to the concerns of her people and doing her best to help where she can. Surely... 

'...whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.' - Matthew 23:12

THIS IS WHAT LENNY KIVUTI's Supporters Were Caught Saying...

Some of the DEFECTORS who are known to have ditched the government for the doomed opposition

"Embu County Governor, Martin Wambora is a hard nut to crack" said one diehard to another ardent supporter of former Embu senator, Lenny Kivuti. The lady and gentleman, both known to have been 'eating' the politician, were overheard expressing their lack of confidence in Mr. Kivuti. The two gossipers spilled forth sensitive information on 'How to Eat Lenny's Money - Season 2'. They humorously admitted that they are in the opposition team only for the money. They were however quick to express their discontent with the discriminate manner in which the tycoon's cash handouts are shared out. They claimed that the 'rice' is usually eaten by a few select individuals while those who do the dirty work starve.

Embu opposition leader Lenny Kivuti before he decamped from
Jubilee Party

According to Intel from strategically placed political espionage experts, the two members of the opposition camp , the team has completely disintegrated. Former Manyatta MP Emilio Kathuri, who acted as Mr Kivuti's running mate in the last elections is no longer in 'Riceman's' good books. They added that if at all there shall be a repeat election, Kathuri would not be considered for deputy governor.

Governor Wambora; concerned about
the wasted time

It is clear even to Wambora's detractors that the incumbent governor is the true leader for Embu County. If you knew Embu before and after Wambora became governor, you will agree with me that were it not for unnecessary Court cases filed by enemies of development, much more would have been achieved by now. After all isn't it evident that the government is still performing in spite of all the squabbling?