Now and then: Meet Kenya’s Young Turks of the 90s

Governor Kivutha Kibwana, lawyer Paul Muite, former Trade Minister Mukhisa Kituyi and former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga. [File, Standard]

When he stepped on stage at Nairobi’s Jacaranda grounds on Saturday to belt out Mbarak Mwinshehe’s all-time favourite, Jogoo wa shamba hawiki mjini, not everyone in the crowd could make out the song. Nonetheless, the political message and target of attack were not in doubt.

Well, welcome back to the campaign trail Dr Mukhisa Kituyi who, until taking up the posting in Geneva as Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in September 2013, was a powerful and entertaining speaker.    

And judging from his 30-second performance, the former Trade Minister who returned home in February last year at the end of his two-term contract at the UN, has not lost an inch of his artistic sparkle.

The recital by Dr Mukhisa, who supports Raila Odinga’s presidential bid, was a deliberate barb at Deputy President William Ruto, describing him as “a rural dweller with little influence in city politics”.

Similarly, in 2002, Dr Kituyi excited crowds attending Narc rallies with a rendition of John Mwale’s popular hit Vunja Vikombe of the 1960s.

The artist sings about his new wife who is rejected by her in-laws because of breaking plates and cups. The lyrics say, “Ndugu zangu wote walimkataa, wakisema afunge aende kwao, hatutaki hasara.”

In singing these lines, however, Dr Kituyi was implying that the late President Daniel arap Moi, who served for 24 years as Head of State, should leave office. Although Mr Moi was not on the ballot, the song found much relevance among opposition leaders irked by his selection of Mr Uhuru Kenyatta as his preferred successor.

Raila Odinga with long time allies Prof Kivitha Kibwana, Dr Mukhisa Kituyi and James Orengo. [Emmanuel Wanson, Standard]

Two decades later, Dr Kituyi is back with the same artistic antics that helped propel Mr Mwai Kibaki into office. Dr Kituyi is a member of the so-called Young Turks of the 1980s and 1990s.

They championed the reform agenda, including the expansion of the democratic space, eventually leading to the return of multiparty democracy in 1992. The stage theatrics form part of his contribution to the presidential campaign of Mr Odinga — a fellow Young Turk of the yesteryears.

Other key members of the group of young professionals dreaded by the then government include the late Vice President Wamalwa Kijana, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o, Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Kiraitu Murungi, Charity Ngilu, and James Orengo.

Others are Martha Karua, former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga and seasoned lawyers Paul Muite and Gitobu Imanyara. Kiraitu says: “We are no longer the boisterous young men of the 1990s who arrogantly and forcefully pushed for democratic change.

“Nonetheless, we are available and remain the best bet for this country having seen it all and experienced the regimes of Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki and now Uhuru Kenyatta.”

While some of the Young Turks — now sexagenarians and septuagenarians — have remained politically active, scores have retreated to their professional callings.

This year, Mr Odinga who previously served as Prime Minister, is vying for the presidency for the fifth time. Dr Kituyi and Prof Kibwana, who initially expressed interest in the same seat, have since thrown in the towel in support of their comrade’s bid.

Governor Kibwana, alongside Mr Kiraitu, Ms Ngilu and Prof Nyong’o are key members of Mr Odinga’s campaign team, charged with the duty of mobilising support in their respective regions. Prof Nyong’o separately serves as a member of Mr Odinga’s campaign think-tank.

Dr Kituyi briefly teamed up with Ms Karua two months ago under One Kenya Alliance. The two now walk separate paths. Ms Karua, who did not join her OKA colleagues during the unveiling of Mr Odinga as Azimio’s candidate, is eyeing the Kirinyaga governor seat.  

NARC Kenya leader Martha Karua speaks during a rally at Thika Stadium, February 19, 2022. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

And while Mr Odinga has expressed interest in engaging Dr Kituyi in the national campaign, the former UNCTAD boss prefers deployment in his rural backyard of Bungoma County.

“I am a bit hesitant to stay on the national platform, at the risk of exposing my homestead to marauding thieves,” points out Dr Kituyi. Senate Minority leader Orengo, who has been active over the decades at the national stage, has in the meantime retreated to his rural county of Siaya.

He is engaged in a stiff battle for the governor seat with former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo and former police spokesman Charles Owino.

Those who have partly given politics a break include Mr Muite and Mr Imanyara who are involved in active law practice.

Mr Muite, a former MP for Kikuyu Constituency, however, remains the leader of Safina Party, one of the pioneer opposition parties during the Moi era. Their struggle in the 1990s notwithstanding, the Young Turks have not been lucky in securing top governance positions. Dr Mutunga, who led the push for democratic space through civil society, as well as Mr Odinga who was Premier between 2008 and 2013 are the only ones who have occupied senior government positions.

But Mr Imanyara observes, “the Young Turks are the face of all those who were involved in the push for democratic space in the 1990s”.

The list also includes Mr Odinga’s wife Ida Odinga, cleric Dr Timothy Njoya, lawyers Pheroze Nowrjee, Mr Gibson Kamau Kuria, Mr John Khaminwa, and the late Kenya National Congress leader George Anyona, among others.