LOVE IS LIKE NYATITI

He gave Kenyans the most tangible evidence of the Anglo-Leasing scandal cover-up and stood out as a man who can go to any lengths to accomplish a mission he believes is right.

Now, John Githongo is becoming ‘Mr Right’ to the woman of his dreams and is going to great length to do it in characteristic style — discreetly.

Githongo, as the Governance and Ethics Permanent Secretary gathered discreet tape-recording evidence that laid bare the Anglo-Leasing plot.

The 44-year old former anti-corruption boss will lay bare his heart to his love Salome Mshai Mwangola in nuptial vows the two will take in a midday ceremony.

For one who made a career first at Transparency International and in Government, brooking no nonsense as he fought graft, the limited edition wedding invitation card is a peek into the light side of a man who displays solid firmness.


A cartoon in John Githongo’s wedding invitation card.

The wedding card is a simple work of art, tempered with witty quotes and a romantic caricature of Githongo carrying his bride.

A quote reads: "Marriage is like the nyatiti. After the music is over, you still have the strings," — borrowed from a saying that has ‘violin’ instead of nyatiti.

"It is a private matter," he maintained yesterday as he prepared for his big day. Salome, the woman who has found the way to Githongo’s heart, is a theatre and artistic personality known for poetic prowess and humour. She is a PhD holder whose research in Performance Studies has won her great admiration in UK where she has been living for a while.

The two are said to have been friends for long and get along well. It is said that as far back as 2003, Githongo was eyeing marriage.

Those who know the couple say it is a mix of one who walks the career tightrope without missing a step and the other who is given to creativity that could melt Githongo’s serious demeanour with song and dance.


Creatively arranged

The guest list is said to be a close circuit of Githongo’s and Salome’s friends and family while the ceremony is billed as simple but creatively arranged.

"It’s not just about me. This is about the two of us. Salome is an accomplished personality in her own right," Githongo said on Thursday.

Githongo was up and down putting the last details to their big day together even as he termed the event "private."

The news of Githongo’s wedding, will throw off critics who had written off the man nicknamed the ‘anti-corruption tsar’ a professional bachelor.

A holder of a BSc in Economics and Philosophy, the University of Wales graduate came into public limelight with the Anglo Leasing graft dragon whose mystery dealt a blow to prominent political careers.

It all started after January 2003, when Githongo, a former journalist, was appointed to the position of Permanent Secretary for Governance and Ethics by President Kibaki, who had been elected on an anti-corruption platform.

Before then, Githongo had founded the African Strategic Research Institute, which specialised in economic and policy analysis then served as head of TI-Kenya between October 1999 and October 2002.

Githongo had written for several publications, including being editor of Executive Magazine, a Kenyan monthly business publication, for about five years. It was his column at The East Africa that endeared him to readers and turned him into a household name.

After his unprecedented resignation as a PS in February 2005, with no word, it was reported that he felt the Government lacked commitment to end corruption and that he had received death threats. As a result of his resignation international aid to Kenya was cut.


Naming

A year later, Githongo named the then Vice-President Moody Awori and former Internal Security Minister Chris Murungaru as among top politicians involved in scams worth $600m. He also accused Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, then Justice Minister and former Finance Minister David Mwiraria. In his earth moving revelations, Githongo claimed President Kibaki was complicit in the cover-up, a scandal which was centred around the award of a huge contracts given to companies that did not exist.

The allegations were denied by all the fingered ministers but their careers were never the same.

But as the weekend approaches, Githongo himself, who never made it back to Government, is bracing to make it into the heart of a woman who could be the one to know the secrets of this man who knows deep secrets.