•A year before the 2017 election, Mutua went against the Wiper wave and formed his own party through which he won a second term.
•At Foreign Affairs ministry, he would be in charge of the Kenya Foreign Service Institute and all Kenya Missions and High Commissions abroad.
Image: EZEKIEL AMING'A
Former Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua surprised the nation when he called a press conference on May 10 and declared that he was joining President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition.
This followed negotiations with the then-Deputy President on the night of May 9, 2022, which was the deadline for signing pre-election agreements.
At that time, it was not clear if Ruto could outwit the government machinery to beat ODM leader Raila Odinga.
As such, many felt Mutua was making a grave political mistake by severing ties with Raila and former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
But fast-forward to today, Mutua is tipped for appointment as Foreign and Disapora Affairs Cabinet Secretary, one of the most powerful dockets in the government, taking over from Raychelle Omamo.
The events bring to life the keen steps Mutua has taken to survive politically. He had in September 2020 declared a bid for the presidency.
Mutua shot into public limelight after he was named government spokesman in the Mwai Kibaki administration, a position he held until 2012 when he resigned to vie for Machakos governor.
He served as the first governor of Machakos county from April 2013 and won a second term, which ended after the August 9 general election.
A year before the 2017 election, Mutua went against the Wiper wave and formed his own party through which he won a second term against a strong Wiper wave in Ukambani.
Mutua has worked in Kenya, the United States, Australia and United Arab Emirates (UAE) in different capacities, widening his network which is a key ingredient for his new role.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Whitworth College in the US and a Masters of Science in Communication from Eastern Washington University.
Mutua was at one time a lecturer at the University of Western Sydney and moved to UAE’s Zayed University in 2002.
At the Foreign Affairs ministry, he would be in charge of the Kenya Foreign Service Institute and all Kenya Missions and High Commissions abroad.
The ministry is mandated with the management of Kenya’s foreign policy, projection, promotion and protection of Kenya’s interest and image globally.
MFA is also tasked with the management of Kenya’s missions, coordinating regional peace initiatives, signing of treaties and trade agreements, and liaisons with world trade bodies and UN agencies.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)