By KWENDO OPANGA
Posted Saturday, November 24 2012 at 17:09
Posted Saturday, November 24 2012 at 17:09
IN SUMMARY
- Acumen: The governor of Nairobi must have the leadership acumen and competence to maintain and continually improve the status of capital
Last Sunday, Bishop Dr Margaret Wanjiru launched her run for Kenya’s most important governor’s seat. And she is eyeing the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket for the job.
Among other things, she informed us that after prayerful consultations, she had concluded that her run for Nairobi’s governorship was God’s agenda.
I have several problems with this claim. One, I would like to interrogate the divine intervention on Bishop Wanjiru’s behalf, but I dare not argue with God. However, in September, she declared that she was tired of ODM and that the Holy Spirit was objecting to her continued stay in the party.
Two, it is highly unlikely Bishop Wanjiru will make available evidence of God declaring her His horse in the race for the Nairobi governor’s job. In September, she did not provide evidence of the Holy Spirit’s objections and has not told us why she has decided to go against the wishes of the Spirit.
Three, is it God’s wish that Bishop Wanjiru becomes Nairobi’s governor on an ODM ticket? In September, she described ODM as a party full of selfish leaders who do not have the interests of Kenyans at heart and who are only interested in filling their bellies. Is the Holy Spirit now comfortable with these leaders?
In September, Bishop Wanjiru said that when ODM sponsored her to Parliament in 2007, it had a good democratic record. But, she said, it had changed drastically over the last year and entrenched the politics of individualism.
She was, therefore, looking for a better option. Did ODM mandarins see the light and change at the speed of light?
Four, former President Moi’s dictum was that uongozi hutoka kwa Mungu (leadership is bestowed by God). But, boy, did he fight Anglican Prelates Manasses Kuria (deceased) and David Gitari and departed Prelates Henry Okullu and Alexander Muge! His mantra was that they steer clear of politics.
Mr Moi wanted religious leaders to quit the pulpit for the political arena where he would fight them on his terms. What’s the guarantee that Bishop Wanjiru will not be a politician in a religious fight and turn prophetess in a political fight?
Five, the governor’s position is being politicised so much so that some may begin to believe it is a political post. My position is that the governor’s job is an administrative and technocratic one.
It is the process of appointing the governor that is political. Upon election (appointment), the governor must cease politics and govern.
Six, Nairobi is far too important to be led by a business greenhorn beholden to the tribal calculations of business-as-usual politicians. Nairobi accounts for 60 per cent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product. Its annual turnover is Sh3 trillion.
The city is the face of Kenya and must lead the country in realisation of Vision 2030 and creation of wealth and jobs. Nairobi is East Africa’s economic powerhouse; it is home to 200 multinationals and houses the continental headquarters of many of them.
These include General Electric, Google, Coca-Cola, IBM, Airtel and Cisco Systems. Therefore, its governor must have the leadership acumen and competence to maintain and continually improve this status of the capital.
Seven, is God as nomadic as Bishop Wanjiru’s political heart? She wanted to be Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s presidential running mate. She was not going to get it, so she threatened to decamp to The National Alliance where nothing of the sort awaited her.
My information is that she was prevailed upon not to quit by the ODM high command. What was the sweetener for the bishop in this scheme? The PM has not denied talk that he is uncomfortable with a Luo – that means Dr Evans Kidero – running for Nairobi governor’s seat because this may cost him votes.
As I say, I cannot argue with God. But, it appears that Bishop Wanjiru’s run is based on ODM’s realpolitik of tribal arithmetic and not heavenly prediction.
And here is my eighth problem. Dr Kidero has an outstanding track record as a marketing executive, business strategist, newspaper executive and chief executive officer of Mumias Sugar Company.
Would Bishop Wanjiru hold a candle to Dr Kidero’s technocratic credentials? She is an assistant minister for Housing and a minister of her own Jesus Is Alive Ministries. My answer is in the negative. That brings me to my ninth problem.
Will the ODM nominations for all elective offices be free and fair, transparent and credible? Well, we have been told they will be. As former wrestler Jesse Ventura would quip: “But they are all politicians; they wouldn’t lie to us. Would they?”
Kwendo Opanga is a media consultant info@gvp.co.ke
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