Can Mwakwere weather yet another storm?

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By MWAKERA MWAJEFA mwajefa@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, August 11  2012 at  23:30

IN SUMMARY

• The Matuga MP is facing court charges once again, but critics concede it may still be too early to write him off politically

To his rivals, Environment minister Ali Chirau Mwakwere appears to have the proverbial nine lives of a cat. And even though it appears he may be forced out of Cabinet over court charges — the second since 2007 — some of his critics think it may be too early to start writing his political obituary.

His close associates, Mr Mwalimu Digore and former Kwale County Council Chairman Mshenga Ruga, believe the hate speech charges will not have any serious ramifications on his political career.

In separate telephone interviews, both described what was facing the Matuga MP as “hiccups” that would soon subside.

Mr Digore equated Mr Mwakwere’s leadership stature to that of late Kadu leader Ronald Ngala and the late Emmanuel Karisa Maitha, who are viewed as wagogo (highest traditional title) of the Mijikenda community and the coastal region.

According to him, the Matuga MP is the only person who can claim the title after the death of Mr Maitha, who was a Tourism minister and Kisauni MP, while on official duty in Frankfurt, Germany in 2004.

“None of the current coastal leaders can surpass Mwakwere’s credentials in terms of education and experience to warrant the title of mgogo,” Mr Digore said.

Mr Mshenga described Mr Mwakwere as the senior-most Mijikenda leader serving in government and said that whoever ignores the minister will be doing so at their own peril as he is capable of of delivering the region’s votes.

Mr Mshenga said the minister holds sway with both the Mijikenda and Muslim voters, which can be beneficial to presidential hopefuls seeking votes to satisfy constitutional requirements.

However, as political analyst Amin Mwidau noted, politicians will never undersell their value and Mr Mwakwere is no exception.

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According Mr Mwidau, a son of the late Likoni MP Abdalla Mwidau, the minister’s interaction with the United Republican Party’s William Ruto exposed Mr Mwakwere’s true political value in the region.

“He (Mwakwere) appears to operate as a lone ranger and he is also not charismatic enough in his campaign speeches to contribute immensely in furthering Ruto’s political cause,” he said.

Mr Mwidau also believes that the Matuga MP will not affect the support base Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka enjoy from members of their communities living in the Coast.

However, he concedes that the minister is a brand in Kwale by virtue of his position in Cabinet and the massive resources he has in comparison to other politicians within the county.

“His true political value is hard to assess because of the changing political dynamics. He is one politician that has had more luck on his side than most. You cannot easily dismiss him because despite all his failings, he still remains attractive on paper, though he lacks political packaging,” he added. 

Prof Jumaa Makope Mwasaria, a political analyst based at the University of Nairobi, agrees that the Environment minister’s undoing is that he works as a lone ranger, but adds that his diplomatic skills may help him unify Coast voters.

Position or experience

However, a Mombasa County nominated councillor, Mr Abdulhamid Abdulrahman (ODM), does not think Mr Mwakwere has made that large an impact as a regional leader, adding that the Matuga MP is too “officious”.

According to him, Mr Mwakwere has not used his position or experience as a diplomat to unify the region or make it a priority in the national arena.

“Mwakwere has failed to use his education and public office to bring us together, and this puts him far behind the likes of the late Ngala and Maitha,” he said. “First, he will have to consolidate the Coast vote bloc and be a key player for him to make a serious impact in the General Election,”

But the councillor added that should Mr Mwakwere exit the political scene, it will change coastal politics. “Remember, the minister has worked closely with all the national leaders at one time or another.”