Realignments in Kiambu as Kabogo, Thang’wa 'close ranks'

The saying that in politics there are no permanent friends or enemies may be true, going by what is unfolding in Kiambu County.

Governor William Kabogo and his nemesis, Ngewa Ward Representative Karungo Thang’wa, have done what was previously deemed unthinkable by becoming overnight political bedfellows. 

The two lost the highly coveted Jubilee Party ticket for the gubernatorial and senatorial seats respectively in the April primaries, and, as fate would have it, they found themselves sharing the same title, “independent candidate”.

PRIMARIES
Prior to the party primaries, the two read from different scripts, with the former broadcaster fighting Mr Kabogo’s candidature in favour of his bitter rival and the eventual JP ticket winner, Kabete lawmaker Ferdinand Waititu.

After the primaries, Mr Waititu and Mr Thang’wa, who was his closest ally, took different routes as far as political realignment was concerned, after the latter ditched JP to run as an independent candidate.

UNION
And perhaps to show things had changed, shortly after the primaries, Mr Waititu denied the MCA an opportunity to speak during an event at Thika Calvary Church, saying he was obligated to work with Senator Kimani Wamatangi “because he had won the JP ticket just like us”.

But things seem to have changed, with Mr Kabogo and Mr Karungo, who have been arch rivals since 2013, appearing to have formed a unity that only played out in public this week during a church service in Thika.

The two, who have been claiming they were denied victory by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party, have, on a few occasions been spotted together, but it was during the opening and consecration of the AIPCA Thika town church on Sunday that their newly formed union played out.

SPEECHES
The event was attended by Mr Kabogo, Mr Waititu, Senator Wamatangi, Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a, who is also the Jubilee candidate for the same position, and Mr Thang’wa.

The Jubilee candidates, who are all incumbents, were called to address the congregation, starting with Ms Ng’ang’a followed by Mr Waititu then Mr Wamatangi and finally Governor Kabogo - who was supposed to close the political speeches session.

ENEMIES
The Jubilee leaders, perhaps because Mr Thang’wa was no longer part of their team, having joined the independent candidates’ bandwagon, which they have described as “enemies” of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election bid, did not even recognise him.

However, Mr Kabogo spared him time during his turn, an act that was interpreted to mean that they were now bedfellows.

This was unthinkable before the nominations, when the MCA would use unkind words against the governor at political rallies.
POLITICS
Despite having being warned about time limitations, the governor requested Mr Thang’wa to wave to the congregation from his seat before further urging him to step forward and address the congregation.

“I want to ask the church to pray for us leaders because when we are told no politics, we do politics ... Archbishop I am using your power because my power does not work in here, I appreciate Karungo wa Thang’wa, who is an aspiring senator.

"Just rise and wave to the people ... let him just greet the congregation,” Mr Kabogo said while signalling Mr Thang’wa to step forward.

CRITIC
With those words, Mr Thang’wa stepped forward and exchanged pleasantries with his former rival.

His first remark was telling: “Things have changed if you see him (Mr Kabogo) giving me a minute to address you,” and in reaction, the governor gave him a pat on the back. 

Since 2013, Mr Thang’wa has been a fierce critic of the governor and when Mr Waititu inherited the Kabete seat following the murder of then area MP George Muchai in 2015, the two teamed up to step up the fight against Mr Kabogo.