Africa-Press – Kenya. The political past of top opposition figures may return to hurt their presidential bids even as they embark on elaborate campaign to portray the William Ruto led administration as corrupt, disgraceful and incompetent.
Apart from former UNCTAD boss Mukhisa Kituyi and former CS Eugene Wamalwa, the other bigwigs face a plethora of accusations ranging from sleaze, abuse of office and being part of a rotten political system.
Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua faced various accusations during his impeachment, among them questions about his wealth, gross misconduct and violations of the Constitution.
The charges included undermining the authority of the Executive, undermining devolution, ethnicity through the “shareholding” remarks and compromising judges’ institutional and decisional independence.
The former DP also faced allegations of financial improprieties by engaging in illegal financial transactions.
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse who moved Gachagua’s impeachment motion alleged Gachagua engaged in financial misconduct, including misappropriation of public funds and illegal financial dealings.
The former DP denied all the allegations.
Prior to being named DP, Gachagua was charged with irregularly acquiring Sh200 million, an amount he was ordered to forfeit to government.
The Court of Appeal in February 2023, however, set aside the verdict, and ordered the cash be wired back to him.
Wiper boss Kalonzo Musyoka— who prides himself as the leader of the “People’s Loyal Opposition” — has been in politics for the last four decades, serving in various capacities under the Kanu, Narc and the Grand Coalition administrations.
In June 2020, his Wiper party signed a cooperation agreement with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party.
Until 2021, Kalonzo faced allegations of irregularly acquiring the 200-acre land, which reportedly belong to the National Youth Service.
The DCI, however, cleared Kalonzo of the allegations, saying he owns the parcel.
A report by the DCI said Kalonzo was the second owner of the Yatta land after company owned by his family acquired it from Bestraco Limited.
PLP leader Martha Karua, who projects herself as a clean political player, has largely had a clean political history pegged on reform, respect for the rule of law and human rights.
It is, however, her role in the 2007-08 post-election stalemate that taints her legacy.
Karua, the Iron Lady in the Kibaki administration, was accused of being among the hardliners at a moment that saw Kibaki sworn in as president at dusk.
The move triggered the country into the infamous 2007-08 bloodbath.
But the former Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister has defended herself, saying the swearing-in had to be done immediately.
“Kibaki was declared the winner, and according to the IPPG [Inter-Parties Parliamentary Group] amendment, the President was to be sworn in as soon as he was declared. His leadership was on the line, and it was crucial that he was sworn in despite the opposition’s objections” Karua said.
“I did what was right, and I stand by that decision. Even tomorrow, I will do what is right. I have no regrets about the role I played as Kibaki’s agent and the vote I cast for him”.
Former CS Fred Matiang’i also faces criticism over his tenure in the Uhuru administration over the Ruaraka land saga, extrajudicial killings during his time as Interior CS and the botched Huduma Namba programme.
Former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, who recently joined the opposition ranks, is also facing queries regarding the fake fertiliser — which he has promised to shed light on.
During his vetting for the CS post, Linturi said he had 35 cases pending in court.
Former Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando, who is in the opposition camp, says he is in the team crafting the “accountability charter” for the outfit.
“I see scenarios where careerist politics formed on the basis of ethnic factors will be compelled to submit to GenZs’ demands for an accountability charter. What does this mean? It means that a blend of pragmatism and idealist will ally to harness practical actions for winning numbers in 2027. It means, too, that the flagbearer may as well be determined by GenZs factor,” Kabando told the Star.
He added that there is need to go back to the drawing board and craft a “coalition of interests beyond the so-called kingpins”.
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