Mukhisa could be in for a rude shock

The shock ahead of Mukhisa Kituyi (pictured), the new entrant into the presidential race, could be making push-ups in Kimilili right now.

His entry has confused Western Kenya and the handshake clique, more than we can see. Since he is likely to be in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s endorsement list, he awaits cold political shoulders—every presidential hopeful’s serving. Whatever the case, the time for his sifting has come.

In case the handshake alliance in-group welcomes him, so be it. If he is not welcomed—which is the most likely ending, he could be in for a shock.

Unlike other political seats, the presidency in Kenya is a preserve of ethnopolitical oligarchs; constituted of a coalition of regional parties. Therefore, his presidential bid makes the handshake alliance wing more likely to be divided than united towards 2022. Could he be coming in for a different slot in the guise of presidency?

There are mixed reactions regarding Mukhisa’s presidential bid, but what is clear is that he enters a murky battleground, strewn with political crocodiles and alligators. Why did he resign from a prime UN job to take the risk of vying for presidency; a job that has been elusive to many hard-wearing politicians like Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi and currently DP William Ruto?

Who is Dr Mukhisa Kituyi? He is a graduate of Makerere University and University of Bergen, Norway. He was expelled from University of Nairobi in 1980 and had to complete his studies in Makerere in 1982. An expert in political science and international relations, Mukhisa was a Member of Parliament for Kimilili Constituency in Bungoma County between 1992 and 2007.

Between 2013 and February 2021, he served as Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD. Does he qualify to go for Kenya’s top political job? Of course.

From mid-2020, he has been seen now and then in get-togethers with the handshake alliance, and lately in a consultative meeting with Raila and central Kenya political honchos. Such moves send some oblique messages to political predictors. What is his strategy?

Could Mukhisa have been given a brittle political promise or he has felt that in case he shows interest, he could benefit from the disagreement that might arise from the handshake alliance regarding who should be president?

Whatever the case, with the two powerful alliances already taking shape; things are about to ‘bite each other’. Notably, the handshake alliance is wooing, among others, ODM, Kanu, Wiper, ANC and Ford Kenya. This side of politics faces a dilemma similar to that of CORD and NASA in 2013 and 2017 respectively—agreeing on the ‘big person’.

I must admit that if things go as they are, the handshake alliance will be the strongest side if they embrace peace, love and unity. But that’s unlikely; they risk a big challenge from Hustler Nation. Either way, Mukhisa fits an oversize garment by going for the presidency.

Two reasons could force the handshake alliance to endorse Mukhisa. If they want to fell the Hustler Nation, they must seek a neutral candidate. That candidate is not Raila, Kalonzo, Mudavadi or Wetangula.

Endorsing Mukhisa will be pumping fresh blood into the system and could give Kenyans a breath of fresh air. I have posited here before that the other candidates of similar calibre are Prof Kivutha Kibwana and Senator Gideon Moi. I’m I too ambitious?

But Mukhisa might not get a haven in this coalition of political heavyweights. They are all looking for the ‘Sema Tosha’ moment, and that’s why some have been spending all their political capital to please the prince—President Uhuru Kenyatta. They will give Mukhisa his fair share of frustration.  

Remember, we haven’t had crystal balls from Murathe and Atwoli—the two political seers, regarding the former Minister of Trade and Industry. Is it true that he is going for the presidency or is it just a smokescreen as Uhuru prepares his surprise candidate? I highly doubt if he is bargaining for presidency with handshake alliance.

However, if we bank on what we have heard him say, the first team to attack him will be the Western Kenya politicians. They will soon be telling him “you cannot come and find us here and take what we have been labouring for, while you were away from active politics”. As such, Mukhisa’s opposition will begin from Kimilili.

Dr Ndonye is a Political Economist of Media and Communication