From: joachim omolo ouko
News Dispatch with Father Omolo Beste
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2014

Vivian from Kipchimchim, Kericho, Kenya writes: “Fr Beste you really know Kenyan politics. You had said that President Uhuru Kenyatta had the power to dictate what he wishes and no one can bar him from doing so. He has finally paid the Anglo Leasing money just as you said he would do.

Now Beste what do you say about recent action by Devolution Secretary Anne Waiguru to fire National Youth Service Kiplimo Rugut (Kalenjin), replacing him with former State House Comptroller Nelson Githinji (Kikuyu). Don’t you think Kalenjin communities will look at this as tribalism of the high class?

I am a Kalenjin but afraid we will not vote Uhuru again come 2017. This is to me he used Kalenjins to ascend to power. I wonder when tribalism will end in Kenya. Imagine firing Rugut, who had served as the NYS director general for just a year.

Thank you for this important question Vivian. For your information, tribalism is not going to end in Kenya very soon as Charles Hornsby points out in his book, chapter on ‘The Kikuyunization of Kenya. He says this has been inherited from Jomo Kenyatta who in 1970s gave crucial posts of provincial commissioners to his tribesmen.

These posts were held by a small group of conservative insiders, more than half of whom were Kikuyu from 1967 until Kenyatta’s death in 1978, and three of whom were sons of chiefs. Appointments to statutory boards and parastatals showed the same trend.

Hornsby adds: in “popular imagination”, Jomo Kenyatta was not only “the benevolent dictator but simultaneously ‘the chief architect and patron of the Greater Kikuyu Community’.” (Read a History since Independence pp.254-258 by Charles Hornsby, 2012).

Senior Kikuyu Parastatal leading the 1970s under Jomo Kenyatta were as follows: Ephantus Gakuo, Director-general of East African Railways (later Kenya Railways), 1987-1970s (Uhuru Kenyatta’s father in-law), Bethwell Gecaga, Chairman, Industrial Development Bank (1976-9), Julius Gecau, Managing director, East Africa (later Kenya) Power and Lighting Company (1970-84), James Karani Gitau, and General manager, Kenya National Trading Corporation (1969-79).

Others were Stanley Githunguri, Executive chairman, National Bank of Kenya (1976-9), Charles Karanja, General manager, Kenya Tea Development Authority (1970-81), John Matere Keriri, General manager then managing director, Development Finance Company of Kenya (1972-82), Peter Kinyanjui, Chairman, East African Harbours Corporation (later Kenya Ports Authority) 1970-80, John Michuki, Executive chairman, Kenya Commercial Bank (1970-9), Philip Ndegwa, Chairman, Agricultural Finance Corporation (to 1974), and Matu Wamae, Executive director, Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (1969-79).

The Kikuyunization under Uhuru Kenyatta came real in September when he appointed Nancy Gitau – Chief Political Advisor, Joseph Kinyua – Chief of Staff and Head of the Civil Service, Arthur Igeria – Head of the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration Board, Mutahi Ngunyi – Senior Political Advisor, John Mututho – Chairman NACADA, Lee Kinyanjui – Chairman National Transport Authority, and Kiragu wa Magonchi – Chairman Teachers’ Service Commission.

When Kalenjin communities complained, instead Uhuru went on by appointing more Kikuyus. A committee appointed by Uhuru to investigate whether to repatriate Somali refugees in Daadab and Kakuma camps following the Westgate attack, consisted of Kikuyus with only one Kalenjin.

They were, Daniel Njuguna Waireri-Chairman, Joyce Wanja Mburu-Vice Chairperson, Wamuyu Wang’undu, Gladys Njoki Muhia, Nyokabi Githiura, Charles Karanja, Elizabeth Nyaguthi, Stephen Kiraithe, Athanas Gichuki Mwathe, Christine Agatha Waitherero, Dr. Githinji Wamwoka, James Lee Mukora, Joe Nyaga, Presidential adviser on regional cooperation (Embu) and Hosea Kimkung Maiyo (the only Kalenjin).

The complaint from Kalenjins did not prevent Uhuru from appointing more Kikuyus and people from his TNA party. Kalenjins were surprised when he appointed former Head of Civil Service Francis Muthaura as the chairman of the Lamu Port-Southern Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (LAPSET). Muthaura is Merian who comes from Mt Kenya region as Uhuru Kenyatta.

Other appointments included Dr. Githinji Wamwoka, James Lee Mukora, and Joe Nyaga Presidential adviser on regional cooperation (Embu). Former Kenya Airports Authority Managing Director George Muhoho, Uhuru’s uncle, was poised to take over at Kenya Power, former Kengen CEO Eddy Njoroge was appointed the informal energy adviser to Uhuru at State House.

Former Kikuyu MP Lewis Nguyai, a close Uhuru ally, chairman of the Kenya Leather Authority, former Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua, chairman of Kenya Betting and Control Board and Joe Kibe, chairman of the Kenya Pipeline Authority. Uhuru inherited this tribal appointment to key positions from Mwai Kibaki.

When Kalenjins complained bitterly and threatened to move away from Uhuru’s government, it emerged that DP William Ruto went to State House on 12th Nov 2013 citing mistreatment and shortchanging on parastatal appointments. Uhuru just kept quiet and went on with similar appointments.

You should be aware Vivian that Kalenjins are not only furious with Uhuru on tribal appointments. As Kericho Senator Charles Keter sensationally pointed out Kalenjins are also furious with Uhuru for retaining some individuals who ‘fixed’ Deputy President William Ruto to ICC.

Mind you, Anne Waiguru is not alone to blame. Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Eng. Michael Kamau did exactly the same by confirming Lucy Mbugua as the Managing Director of Kenya Airports Authority. Furthermore, Ms Waiguru is only effecting orders from her boss.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com
Omolo_ouko@outlook.com
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