Not a dull moment in Mwakwere’s career

Former Transport minister Ali Mwakwere.

Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere’s eight years in the political arena have been dramatic and action-packed. On Friday, his stay in the august House was brought to an end when High Court judge Mohamed Ibrahim nullified his election as Matuga MP following a petition filed by voter Ayub Juma Mwakesi.

Known for his knack for rouble-rousing, the minister is always ready to tread on his perceived or real political opponents. A defender of the Coastal people, an advocate for majimboism, a Kaya elder, a matatu owner, a Lingala music enthusiast and an accomplished player of the kayamba, Mr Mwakwere is many things rolled into one.

Many times, he has not hidden his distaste for his political opponents, with PM Raila Odinga coming under his tirade over the “toilet” saga and many other occasions. Mr Mwakwere was first elected as Matuga MP in 2002 on a Narc ticket and was appointed Foreign Affairs assistant minister in early 2003.

Six months, later he was elevated to the Cabinet as minister for Labour and Human Resources. Mr Mwakwere was moved from Labour to Foreign Affairs in another reshuffle in 2004. President Kibaki in December 2005 moved Mr Mwakwere to the Transport docket in a Cabinet reshuffle that followed the government’s defeat in a referendum.

Mr Mwakwere was unable to quite fully fill the big shoes left by his predecessor at the Transport ministry, Mr John Michuki. The Matuga politician has never missed something to say to defend his continued stay at Transcom House. In his estimation, the police should enforce traffic rules.

In December 2007, after calls from Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli “to get out of his lucrative slumber and take charge and save hundreds of innocent lives being lost everyday on our roads,” he retorted: “Whenever those accusing me of failing to act speak, I pity them. They are like students who will never learn. I have tried to explain that my ministry does not run the roads or enforce traffic laws, but they won’t listen.”

When Mr Odinga complained of being treated with disrespect during a Coast visit, it presented a perfect chance for Mr Mwakwere, who took him head on for complaining about lack of toilets and carpets. Besides his knack for taking opponents head-on and rouble-rousing, another of Mr Mwakwere’s obsession is the “Kamata Adui Kamata, Kamata Jipapa” chants. This is the slogan of Shirikisho party, which he leads.

Urbane gentleman

Born 65 years ago in Golini village in Kwale District, Mr Mwakwere cuts the image of an urbane gentleman, a result of his association with the white settler community from an early age. He had a relatively privileged childhood, being the son of a worker in the colonial administration in Kwale Town.

He holds two Masters Degrees – Masters of Education from University of Birmingham and a Masters of Science in Maritime Studies from the University of Wales’ Institute of Science and Technology. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Transport. He served as political secretary at the Kenyan embassy in Saudi Arabia from 1978 to 1979.

He has also served as Kenyan High Commissioner to Zimbabwe, a special envoy to the Great Lakes Region and Kenya’s ambassador to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. After leaving the diplomatic service, he worked at Bandari College, run by Kenya Ports Authority, as principal until 1989.

He joined politics after leaving the college and became the deputy national executive officer at the Kanu national secretariat until 2002 when he decamped to the National Rainbow Coalition and won the Matuga seat. Although the majority of Coast MPs were elected on an ODM ticket, Mr Mwakwere went to Parliament on a PNU ticket and is widely seen as the party’s point man in the region.