Lately there has been widespread speculation regarding the political future of Hon Musalia Mudavadi, that perennial gentleman of Kenyan politics. All manner of characters including journalists, political spin-masters and outright political foes have offered their two-pence worth of advice most of it born of ignorance, untruths, half-truths and outright lies. After he was betrayed by none other than the current leadership of this country in the run-up to the Presidential and general election, Mudavadi soldiered on with the Amani Alliance, which currently boasts of several governors, senators, Members of Parliament and members of county assemblies. It was a commendable effort by a man who was ‘ditched by his friends’ at the eleventh hour, and is a testimony to his tenacity and steadfastness; the odds notwithstanding.
Mudavadi, always the gentleman, rejected an offer for nomination to the Senate by his UDF party and is the only Kenyan in history to have rejected nomination twice having declined the same from Kanu after the 2002 general election. Why? For the simple reason that he is a democrat who believes in being elected and not selected.
Certain reactionary forces within UDF, however, went ahead and nominated their cronies and it is this lot that is hell-bent to protect their new-found lucrative positions by hook or crook, party policies aside. For them it is a matter of life and death and they appear prepared to do anything to protect their self interest. Other political forces opposed to Mudavadi have also stepped into the fray hoping to neutralise him by ensuring that he becomes party-less and, therefore, a political orphan.
Could Musalia Mudavadi, a seasoned politician, a warrior of a thousand political battles be as naïve as to allow some rookies to run away with his sterling political career? Can history be erased in an instant? Hardly! Even wishful thinking doesn’t work that way as it is not possible for a politician of his stature ‘to walk silently into the night’ without a plan B or a mother of all battles.
A brief look at the political history of Musalia Mudavadi reveals he was one of the youngest Cabinet Ministers ever appointed in Kenya. He had a sterling career as Minister for Marketing and Supplies, Finance, Agriculture, Transport and Telecommunications, Vice President and Minister of Home Affairs and lastly Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government. It can be said without fear of contradiction that he is the longest serving Cabinet Minister after retired Presidents Daniel Arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki. At relatively young age of 52, this is no mean achievement as nobody in the current leadership can hold a candle to Mudavadi’s public service experience. Indeed, if the Presidency was achieved by application and qualification, then Mudavadi possesses the most impressive curriculum vitae.
A reflective, humane and urbane person – he is an excellent listener and integrates complex information quickly thus solving problems or attending to issues quickly. He is a reasonable, predictable, trustworthy and reliable public servant. Musalia Mudavadi, carefully and calculatingly, considers and thinks through his every public and private pronouncement and anything emanating from his quarter is usually inoffensive and civil even in the face of provocation. As a consequence, he has occasionally been referred to as a laid-back by his detractors. Those in his inner circle have a very different perception of the man. As the Nigerians say “an eagle’s greatest weapon is its eyes”. The same is true for Mudavadi, as he keenly observes everything in vivid detail until someone invades his ‘personal space’ then he strikes or responds with devastating speed. Who was it who said: “calm waters run deep?” Was Moi not referred to as timid during the Kenyatta succession? What happened when he took hold of the reins of power? Was there ever any man, woman or child foolhardy enough to ‘tango’ with Moi? Only the plucky, indefatigable Wangari Maathai tried and lived to tell the tale. Was Kibaki not referred to as a coward? But was he a coward? One of the peculiar habits of Kenyans happens to be labelling others unfairly and unreasonably.
History has shown that Kenyans in their pursuit of peace and harmony prefer leaders that are consistent, reliable and predictable. That is how Moi, Kibaki and Uhuru were elected. The firebrands, warmongers, sabre-rattlers and loose cannons are given a wide berth. Mudavadi falls into the former mould, and would be a worthy successor to the Jubilee team. The trick lies in the kind of coalitions he will form henceforth. As a veteran of Kenyan politics, he is keenly aware of this fact and is currently busy cleaning up his political house. Nationally, through his pleasant easy going character and excellent connections – courtesy to his long political career and stints in Agriculture and Local Government Ministries that allow a politician to traverse the entire country without raising any political suspicions – he built an enviable national network. He, however, plays his cards close to his chest and only time will tell his next political move.
In event that the UDF officials remain intransigent in their dealings with Mudavadi in the next few days, rumour has it that he has registered a new party of choice. Touted as the ANC or Amani National Congress, it will be a National Party acceptable across the political divide. Insiders state it will diffuse suspicions in Western Province, where political propaganda by Mudavadi’s opponents projected UDF as a Central Province Party and an appendix of TNA. This propaganda cost him dearly in terms of votes in the last election. Whatever happens, we wish the gentleman of Kenyan politics well in all his future endeavours.
– the-star.co.ke
