Critics, opinion shapers, influence peddlers and skeptics went awash
on mainstream and social media when Ferdinand Waititu beat Jimnah
Mbaru for the TNA Nairobi governor’s ticket last week. While I was
ranting and raving about the “stupidity” of Nairobi “east lands”
voters, my sister in law Sarah Macharia posted on her face book page a
thought provoking story of a clown who ran for office in Sao Paolo,
Brazil in 2010.
on mainstream and social media when Ferdinand Waititu beat Jimnah
Mbaru for the TNA Nairobi governor’s ticket last week. While I was
ranting and raving about the “stupidity” of Nairobi “east lands”
voters, my sister in law Sarah Macharia posted on her face book page a
thought provoking story of a clown who ran for office in Sao Paolo,
Brazil in 2010.
Sarah states “The clown did not pretend to
be who he was not. Instead, he campaigned in his clown outfit (yellow
with red polka dots and a red nose.) He identified with the masses and
the people loved him while his opponents dismissed him as illiterate. He won with the highest number of votes in Brazilian political history.”
be who he was not. Instead, he campaigned in his clown outfit (yellow
with red polka dots and a red nose.) He identified with the masses and
the people loved him while his opponents dismissed him as illiterate. He won with the highest number of votes in Brazilian political history.”
This
story did not change my position about Waititu. How could they choose
the “stone thrower” over the founder the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE)? I
was looking forward to a battle of “titans” between Dr. Evans Kidero
and Jimnah Mbaru. I thought this was going to be a disaster for TNA
until I watched a mini debate between Kidero and Waititu on TV.
story did not change my position about Waititu. How could they choose
the “stone thrower” over the founder the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE)? I
was looking forward to a battle of “titans” between Dr. Evans Kidero
and Jimnah Mbaru. I thought this was going to be a disaster for TNA
until I watched a mini debate between Kidero and Waititu on TV.
It
was expected that Dr. Kidero would tear the “clown” into pieces. Not
really. Kidero came to the debate rehearsed and looking down on his
opponent but Waititu won the debate both in style and substance. He came
out as a thoughtful man and not the “moron” that many Kenyans have
come to know. He was more convincing on all issues raised while Dr.
Kidero appeared as if he was doing the Waititu a favor.
was expected that Dr. Kidero would tear the “clown” into pieces. Not
really. Kidero came to the debate rehearsed and looking down on his
opponent but Waititu won the debate both in style and substance. He came
out as a thoughtful man and not the “moron” that many Kenyans have
come to know. He was more convincing on all issues raised while Dr.
Kidero appeared as if he was doing the Waititu a favor.
Who
is advising Dr. Kidero? His first debate was a disaster. He was
condescending and cold to Waititu. He repeated former US Vice President
Al Gore’s mistake while debating George W. Bush in October, 2000. Gore
jinxed himself by being self obsessed and attempting to lecture Bush on
policy matters and figures. Gore sounded like a robot, gave long
winded academic answers to simple questions and attempted to portray
George Bush as one who did not understand policy and the role of the
presidency. Bush gave simple, direct and sometimes comical answers. He
won the Presidency.
is advising Dr. Kidero? His first debate was a disaster. He was
condescending and cold to Waititu. He repeated former US Vice President
Al Gore’s mistake while debating George W. Bush in October, 2000. Gore
jinxed himself by being self obsessed and attempting to lecture Bush on
policy matters and figures. Gore sounded like a robot, gave long
winded academic answers to simple questions and attempted to portray
George Bush as one who did not understand policy and the role of the
presidency. Bush gave simple, direct and sometimes comical answers. He
won the Presidency.
Dr. Kidero would make a better
conventional governor than Waititu. He is polished and politically
correct. He is a policy wonk and a CEO. He has mastered the art of
saying the right things and obviously expresses himself better. He
believes in the rule of law, a definite plus. However he lacks the mojo and the fire to confront Nairobi’s real problems.
conventional governor than Waititu. He is polished and politically
correct. He is a policy wonk and a CEO. He has mastered the art of
saying the right things and obviously expresses himself better. He
believes in the rule of law, a definite plus. However he lacks the mojo and the fire to confront Nairobi’s real problems.
Waititu
says what he believes. He is categorical that he won’t demolish slums.
He believes that slum dwellers have inalienable rights to exist and
enjoy basic amenities like everyone else. He believes adhering to the
rule of law won’t deter Nairobi land grabbers. He justifies his stone
hurling tendencies as necessary evil. He says as governor he won’t
“throw stones” because he will have the legal apparatus to “instill
discipline” at his disposal. He sounds believable!
says what he believes. He is categorical that he won’t demolish slums.
He believes that slum dwellers have inalienable rights to exist and
enjoy basic amenities like everyone else. He believes adhering to the
rule of law won’t deter Nairobi land grabbers. He justifies his stone
hurling tendencies as necessary evil. He says as governor he won’t
“throw stones” because he will have the legal apparatus to “instill
discipline” at his disposal. He sounds believable!
Kidero
believes that Nairobi needs a governor who can attract investors.
Waititu believes that investors will come to Nairobi regardless. He
believes Nairobi’s biggest problem is the growing gap between the rich
and the poor and wants to alleviate poverty. Both candidates are right.
Waititu’s message resonates with many because majority of Nairobians
are urban poor. They want food on the table now.
believes that Nairobi needs a governor who can attract investors.
Waititu believes that investors will come to Nairobi regardless. He
believes Nairobi’s biggest problem is the growing gap between the rich
and the poor and wants to alleviate poverty. Both candidates are right.
Waititu’s message resonates with many because majority of Nairobians
are urban poor. They want food on the table now.
Mitt Romney
had good ideas about stabilizing the US economy but his plan was
perceived as one catering to the rich. Obama believed that building the
economy from the middle out/bottom up would benefit everyone. Obama
won. Waititu does not compare to Obama but their pro-poor messages are
similar.
had good ideas about stabilizing the US economy but his plan was
perceived as one catering to the rich. Obama believed that building the
economy from the middle out/bottom up would benefit everyone. Obama
won. Waititu does not compare to Obama but their pro-poor messages are
similar.
These two candidates are different. The “rough
rider” states that if elected governor all kids in Nairobi will be able
to join some form of secondary school. He sees it as a multipronged
sword to fight crime and teen pregnancies. Dr. Kidero differs. He
argues its evidence of Waititu’s lack of understanding of the
governor’s role. Really?
rider” states that if elected governor all kids in Nairobi will be able
to join some form of secondary school. He sees it as a multipronged
sword to fight crime and teen pregnancies. Dr. Kidero differs. He
argues its evidence of Waititu’s lack of understanding of the
governor’s role. Really?
Dr. Kidero does not think he is
out of touch. He was born in Majengo and has relatives in all the
slum’s villages. He deserves recognition for pulling himself out of the
“hood” (ghetto.) Waititu lived in Kibera for 25 years and clearly
behaves as if he still lives there. Kidero’s success must not be
demonized except it is disturbing to hear him blaming the poor for their
fate. His debate comments were reminiscent of Mitt Romney’s comment
that 47% of Americans who would vote for Obama were poor by choice.
Such slips are disastrous.
out of touch. He was born in Majengo and has relatives in all the
slum’s villages. He deserves recognition for pulling himself out of the
“hood” (ghetto.) Waititu lived in Kibera for 25 years and clearly
behaves as if he still lives there. Kidero’s success must not be
demonized except it is disturbing to hear him blaming the poor for their
fate. His debate comments were reminiscent of Mitt Romney’s comment
that 47% of Americans who would vote for Obama were poor by choice.
Such slips are disastrous.
Nairobi needs a leader with the
courage to play rough against land grabbers and corrupt officials. It
also needs someone who can manage its resources. Waititu is a leader.
Kidero is a manager. Voters must decide what is more urgent.
courage to play rough against land grabbers and corrupt officials. It
also needs someone who can manage its resources. Waititu is a leader.
Kidero is a manager. Voters must decide what is more urgent.
To beat Waititu, Kidero may have to check with Jimnah Mbaru or else he won’t know what “hit” him come March 5th.
Kaberia is a Washington-based consultant on African politics. Email: tkaberia@yahoo.com
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