Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa is set to make a triumphant return to government as Cabinet Secretary for Water and Irrigation Services. The political rumour mill has been alive with his impending appointment for a while and was given credence by a statement by Deputy President William Ruto a fort-night ago.
Eugene is expected to relinquish the leadership of the New Ford Kenya Party which is one of the affiliate parties in the Amani Coalition as he can no longer continue to dabble in politics for the remainder of his term as CS.
A pragmatic politician and arguably perhaps the country’s most eloquent orator, Eugene like his brother Kijana Wamalwa is famed for his mastery of the Queens English and phonetics. He strategically declined to run for the presidency in 2013 opting to support the candidature of Musalia Mudavadi of the United Democratic Party. In making this a personal sacrifice, Eugene, an ethnic Bukusu won many friends and admirers from the greater Luhya community. Whether he was strategically positioning himself for another day remains a subject of political conjecture.
Eugene played his cards close to his chest and did not burn his political bridges with former political allies. He remained close to Uhuru Kenyatta while ensuring he did not alienate Ruto.
Indeed, he was one of the main speakers at the launch of the TNA Party several months ago where he delivered a powerful speech triggering speculation as to whether he was planning to defect. In retrospect, it now turns out that he was building bridges for a rainy day. For him, pay day may have taken longer than the traditional 30 days yet it is finally here.
Political pundits would be well advised not to write off the relatively youthful Eugene Wamalwa as a “washed up, retired politician!” All indications are that he is making a strategic retreat and will most likely make a major re-appearance most likely in 2022.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi was also expected to join Government as part of a Jubilee Coalition strategy to appease and win back the populous Luhya voting block. Mudavadi has however displayed some ambivalence on the matter perhaps on account of the timing of the appointments by the Jubilee Coalition. Mid-term appointments historically have been regarded as after-thoughts and have often turned out to be “a poisoned chalice!”
A lot of water has gone under the bridge since the 2013 general election. Some interesting new alignments are under way. The Cord coalition which held sway in Western Kenya in 2013 has lost substantial ground. To add insult to injury, its triumvirate leader Moses Wetangula has declared that he is running his own race in 2017 just as ODM secretary general, Ababu Namwamba is currently busy crafting an exit strategy. Eugene is awaiting Parliamentary confirmation.
Musalia Mudavadi has a head-start in Western Province on account of experience and past leadership. Depending on how he plays his cards he could be the ultimate beneficiary of the hitherto elusive Luhya unity. Politics as they say is a game of numbers. With the populous Luhya vote in hand, Mudavadi would be in an enviable political bargaining position to create a coalition with any of the “big four” without losing face”. Currently, he is the perfect bulwark against Cord in Western region. The paradox is whether he is more useful within or outside government.
Kenyans should expect a lot of political re-alignments in the coming months as traditionally unofficial campaigns in Kenya commence a year prior to the General Election. The recent appointments in the military are clear pointers. It is cardinal that the government gets a hold and stems insecurity without delay. Failure to do so would hand the opposition a powerful campaign platform. Already, they have latched on the state of insecurity as their vehicle to power in 2017.