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What next for Nyachaes presidential ambitions?

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Published on Monday, 04 June 2007 05:53
The appointment of Simeon Nyachae and a host of his party MPs to the Cabinet have left many of the new Roads minister’s supporters wondering what became of their leader’s presidential ambitions.

While the statures of West Mugirango MP Henry Obwocha and Bamachoge’s Joel Onyancha have been boosted among their constituents by their appointment to the Planning and Sports dockets, their party leader has many question marks that are bothering his supporters. Obwocha’s credibility had waned among his constituents over the 15 years he has been in Parliament but his elevation is likely to help him reclaim lost clout. With the elevation to the key Planning ministry, he is widely viewed as a potential successor to Nyachae both in Ford Kenya and in Gusii politics. It now means that political opponents of the 52-year-old Obwocha will have to go back to the drawing board to work out a new game plan to beat him in the next elections.

Onyancha, despite being a political greenhorn, is now the most senior politician in Gucha District, which is also home to Bobasi’s Stephen Manoti and Ford People’s renegade Omingo Magara. His elevation was seen as a reward for delivering the Banana vote from the larger Kisii despite strong opposition that saw heavyweights among them Nyachae, lose in their constituencies. Some political observers say that by accepting reappointment to the Cabinet, Nyachae has boxed himself into a corner politically.

It will now be extremely hard for Nyachae to pull out of government and go seeking votes for the presidency, especially if Kibaki opted to run in 2007.
After emerging third in the last General Election, many expected the Nyaribari Chache MP to stay in the opposition as Kibaki did despite losing twice to former President Moi.

This way he would have used his influence to emerge as the alternative to the Kibaki administration. Nyachae, who has often reminded his constituents that he is 73 years old, will be 75 at the next elections, making him one of oldest MPs in active politics. Age will not be on his side if he decided to have a go at the presidency in 2007. When the question of Nyachae’s options was put to Onyancha, his answer was: "Let’s cross that bridge when we get there."

But the Bomachoge MP believes that Nyachae still has a political future. "The country’s politics changes within hours. Future governments will be formed purely through coalitions. As Ford People our options are still open," he said Onyancha. Obwocha agrees with Onyancha. "We are still serving the country through a government of national Unity. Our loyalty to the president is paramount but we will discuss the way forward when the time comes."

Meanwhile, the sacking of James Ongwae as a Permanent Secretary coupled with the failure to consider the abrasive Kitutu Chache MP Jimmy Angwenyi for any post in the reconstituted Cabinet is likely to affect the political scene in Gusiiland. The fact that among those appointed to take up positions in the civil service also happen to be relatives of Nyachae has complicated the political situation in Kisii. Four new PS appointments, Dr Bitange Ndemo, Dr Hezron Nyangito, Alice Kemunto Mayaka, and Onyancha are related to Nyachae.

While Ongwae’s exit has dominated the public debate, little is being said about Kitutu Masaba’s Zackary Ogongo, who was a reserved operator during his career as a DC and PC before being elevated to a PS. Even before his exit, Ongwae was under pressure to try elective politics. Seen by many as a respected, influential and approachable civil servant, Ongwae’s dismissal is likely to cause Nyachae and his team a headache.

Ongwae is credited with assisting many people when he served in the Moi and Kibaki administrations. Should he decide to vie against Angwenyi, the battle would be interesting.
Angwenyi’s constituents are a bitter lot. One of the longest serving Kisii MPs, having joined the august House in 1996, courtesy of a by-election occasioned by the death of Dr Zachary Onyonka, Angwenyi tried to seek consensus on the draft constitution together with Chepalungu MP John Koech. While Koech was rewarded for his efforts, Angwenyi was ignored.

Angwenyi, an ally of Nyachae, is yet to react to the changes with reports indicating that he is out of the country until December 18. But his supporters in Kisii are bitter that he ignored. One fact that cannot be disputed is that Angwenyi would not go against Nyachae, at least now.