Sally Kosgei: Rift Valley’s Iron Lady still a rising star

By Vincent Bartoo

KENYA: She cuts the figure of a humble Nandi woman — reserved, soft spoken and respectful. As a politician, she rarely displays her ambitions for power.

When her peers rushed to apply for plum political jobs, including as running mates of presidential aspirants, Dr Sally Jepng’etich Kosgei opted to defend her Aldai parliamentary seat.

But those who know her say her calm demeanor is deceptive and presents the face of a Dr Kosgei Kenyans don’t know.

They say behind the innocent and often pensive looks, lies the real Kosgei — a behind-the-scenes influential power broker whose star is steadily rising in Rift Valley, despite having declined to join William Ruto’s URP which currently enjoys euphoric support in the region.

Her decision to stick with Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement has baffled many observers.

She is one of the highly-schooled women in Kenya who made history as the first woman to be appointed head of Civil Service and secretary to the Cabinet. Her discreet political manoeuvres and the decision to stick to ODM have left tongues
wagging.

The County Weekly has now learnt that Dr Kosgei, arguably one of the most influential women politicians and public servants in the country today, is more than what she appears to be in ODM.

“She is one of Raila’s most trusted advisers. Her long experience in the Government and international diplomacy has made her an asset to Raila. In the Rift Valley, many politicians often troop to her home to seek advice,” says a senior civil servant who works in Prime Minister’s office and who requested anonymity.

To prove how she is valued in ODM, Dr Kosgei has been earmarked for nomination to Parliament should she fail to win the seat in the March 4 elections. Also earmarked for nomination is Industrialisation Minister and ODM Chairman Henry Kosgey who is vying for the Nandi County senate seat.

Break down

Political analysts believe Dr Kosgei could become Rift Valley’s most powerful politician if Raila wins the Presidency.

Dr Kosgei was influential during the Moi years and wielded a lot of power. She had the president’s ears more than other senior officers.

It was this attachment to State House and the big role she played in the Kanu government that most probably made her break down in tears on the day Moi flew out into retirement after President Kibaki took power in December 2002.

“Moi liked Kosgei. He consulted her more often than he did her predecessors. She was the power behind the throne,” says a retired government protocol officer who worked with Kosgei at Harambee House, but who cannot be quoted because he is still bound by oath of office rules.

In an interview with The County Weekly recently, Dr Kosgei explained her decision to stick to ODM while most leaders in the region had ditched the party for URP.

The Agriculture minister disclosed that she had been approached and persuaded to decamp, but she stood her ground saying she did not believe in “running up and down”.

Dr Kosgei recalled the formation of the Kenya’s People’s Union (KPU) for Nyanza residents in 1966 after leaders from the area defected from Kanu.

“It (KPU) did not serve the interests of that region. Instead, that move cost them because they were isolated for 40 years from the rest of the country. Is that what we want for our people?” she said.

Dr Kosgei said leaders in Rift Valley should make careful choices when leading the community and cautioned against making rushed political decisions.

“Before we leap, let us first have a clear sight of the direction we are taking. We need to evaluate the pros and cons in order that we do not isolate our community from the rest of Kenya,” she added.

Not done

Fast forward to 2013, Dr Kosgei was among leaders touted for positions of Governor or Senator in Nandi County.

However, she resorted to defending her Aldai constituency seat arguing she was not done developing the area.

“You just do not jump into a position because it has been created. You must ensure you did not leave unfinished business behind. Leadership is doing at least 99 percent service to your people, not 50 percent and then you abandon them,” she added. 

When she left Government to pursue a career in politics, critics thought she was out to remain relevant in the public eye.

But the self-made politician surprised both friend and foe when she carved her own niche and is today a key political figure in the country’s politics.

Sources close to Dr Kosgei say her relationship with Raila started when the former Langata MP served as a Cabinet Minister in the Moi regime.

The relationship however nose-dived when Raila ditched Kanu and quit the cabinet towards the end of 2002 after former President Moi handpicked Uhuru Kenyatta as his chosen successor at a time when Raila (and other Kanu stalwarts) were covetously eyeing the presidency. The later renewed their friendship after Moi left power.

Silent respect

In the Rift valley politicians opposed to her political choices have never attacked her publicly as they do to other politicians.

“We respect mama. Silently, she wields a lot of power and this is why Raila likes her,” says Abednego Kangongo, a political activist.

Dr Kosgei’s role at the mediation talks after the 2007 bungled General Elections introduced a new side of the former Head of Civil Service.

She played a key role in the talks, using her international contacts to help resolve the standoff that almost sent Kenya to the dogs.

She is also credited for introducing a sober approach to the resolution of the post-election crisis by the warring parties then.

She was also a key plank in Government efforts to defer the cases at the ICC cases back to Kenya.

Dr Kosgei’s tough stand on matters she believes in has endeared her to many who regard her as principled politician.

One of her personal aides, Julius Mbarak, told The County Weekly Dr Kosgei is a no-nonsense leader who does not settle for less.

“Even from us, she does not take it kindly when we, for instance, do not make follow up on CDF projects. All of us are sent regularly to review progress of the projects and update her while she is in Nairobi,” said Mr Mbarak.

Dr Kosgei will now face it off for the seat with newcomers, Cornelius Serem of URP and Gilbert Nyongi (UDF) in the General Election.

Philip Chebunet, a political analyst at Narok University,  says Dr Kosgei would win the elections because individual performance and not party affiliation would be the key determinant in this year’s election in the Rift.

“There are some MPs in Rift Valley who have performed exceptionally in the last five years and their party of choice may not matter much to voters,” he said.