Listen Just like the young David felled Goliath with just five stones, to the disbelief of onlookers, so was a modern-day ‘David’ from Kimilili determined to fell a giant of his own; not with five stones, but with tsibili tsibili, the two-finger multiparty salute. His name was Mukhisa Kituyi. Born and bred in western Kenya’s […]
Listen In formal circles he is know as Professor Samson Kegengo Ongeri, EGH, M.P., but he has always gone by the less formal ‘Sam.’ Most know him simply as Sam Ongeri and might be surprised to hear that ‘Sam’ in his case is short for Samson, rather than the more common ‘Samuel.’ It is refreshing […]
Listen A political player par excellence, Chirau Ali Mwakwere was one of the most colourful and humorous personalities in President Mwai Kibaki’s administration. The politician from Kwale County in the coastal region was known to tickle his listeners, including the President, to the point of tears through his dramatic oratory. Beyond his moving power of […]
Listen If a poll were taken among Kenyans about what President Mwai Kibaki’s greatest legacy is, what would come out on top? Free primary education? Road infrastructure development? Economic growth? Maybe all of them as one inseparable package. But think again: There is a critical mass of the Kenyan population that believes Kibaki’s greatest legacy […]
Listen Raila Amolo Odinga held two different portfolios in President Mwai Kibaki’s Cabinet. First, between 2003 and 2005, he served as the Minister for Roads, Public Works and Housing. He then found himself out of the Cabinet, before he returned in 2007, this time as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya. There is […]
Listen When he recounts President Mwai Kibaki’s leadership style, Paul Nyongesa Otuoma paints the picture of an impresario of unrivalled brilliance. The former Funyula Member of Parliament (MP) who served in three ministerial dockets in Kibaki’s administration is, however, quick to note that the President’s well-coordinated government had an unfortunate interlude in 2008 after a […]
Listen Among the individuals who served in President Mwai Kibaki’s Cabinet, a few stood out from the rest. They had their own way of making their presence felt wherever they went and whatever they did. One such charismatic Minister was the towering Gerald Otieno Kajwang. Kajwang’s trademark hearty laughter and sense of humour made him […]
Listen It clearly emerged in her highly acclaimed eulogy at Moi’s funeral in February 2020, that Sally Kosgei has great insights into not just the workings, the controversies, the power play, and the failings of Kenya’s past presidential regimes but also the geopolitical realities they have had to weather. Besides, she knows a load about […]
Listen Just like Kipkalya Kones, Musa Cherutich Sirma was another old wine in new wineskin, a carryover from a bygone era whose inclusion in the Kibaki Cabinet was courtesy of his closeness to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the President’s partner in the Grand Coalition Government formed after the disputed 2007 elections. Unlike Mr Kones, however, […]
Listen Wycliffe Musalia Mudavadi was part of Kenya’s first power-sharing government, which was unveiled in April 2008 and headed by President Mwai Kibaki. He was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government, making him the most powerful Opposition leader in Parliament and the second-highest ranking official in government after his party leader, […]