Just like the Jubilee losers, Joe Nyagah cites frustrations from the top
Mr Joseph Nyagah during a past function. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Last week, Mr Nyagah said he was consulting over potential candidates for running mate and setting up his presidential campaign secretariat in Nairobi.
- On Saturday, Mr Nyagah spoke of his frustrations caused by factional fighting within Jubilee that had made his work as an advisor difficult.
The impassioned speeches during Friday’s meeting coming a week after Presidential advisor Joe Nyagah resigned points to underlying discontent among some leaders in the ruling party.
Mr Nyagah has indicated he will run as an independent candidate — an announcement whose symbolism is probably greater than its effect on the outcome in August.
Last week, Mr Nyaga said he was consulting over potential candidates for running mate and setting up his presidential campaign secretariat in Nairobi.
On Saturday, he spoke of his frustrations caused by factional fighting within Jubilee that had made his work as an advisor difficult.
POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION
“I have tried my best to make a positive contribution, my efforts have been snubbed. Now if things go wrong, I wish supporters of President Uhuru Kenyatta to know what is going on and they should not blame me that I kept quiet when I should have spoken,” Mr Nyaga said.
His departure echoed that of powerful presidential advisor Nancy Gitau who was also said to have been pushed out last year.
Ms Gitau had faced political pressure for supposedly being among those in the government of President Mwai Kibaki who were behind the naming of Deputy President William Ruto as a suspect in the International Criminal Court cases following the 2007/2008 post-election violence.
She has always denied playing any role. However, both President Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto’s cases collapsed.
PREPARING EXIT
It also emerged that the former cabinet minister had been preparing for his exit for two months, by collecting the requisite endorsement of 2,000 signatures from not less than 24 counties across the country to qualify as presidential candidate.
“I am actually working with 60,000 signatures, 2,000 from 30 counties. I was prepared before I left. I am consulting with potential running mates and setting up my campaign secretariat. A panel of elders and professionals are helping me from across the country,” Mr Nyaga said.
He said some of the lowest moments at State House came when he organised delegations to meet the President after getting all approvals only for the meetings to be mysteriously cancelled at the last minute by some of those who handled the Head of State’s diary.
GRANTED APPOINTMENTS
He gave the example of a delegation from Narok County led by veteran politician Mr William ole Ntimama, who died last year, that was blocked from seeing the President after they arrived in Nairobi. But that was not the only one, he says.
“Several delegations from different regions and economic sectors had been granted appointments which were cancelled at the 11th hour on instigation by some interests.
This includes over 5,000 co-operators, who had already travelled from far and booked themselves in the city in readiness.
This happened last December and no one gave them an explanation or revised appointment. If you are accountable and want to produce results, you don’t enjoy that kind of environment,” he said.
