The Position of Embu County in Kenya's Succession Politics

The Position of Embu County in Kenya's Succession Politics

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.

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.

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?

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!