2013 was a year of
mixed fortunes, and misfortunes for one Cliford Ferdinard waititu, better known
as Baba yao.
It was the year
that he was defeated in the gubernatorial race, though he could leave elective politics
with his head held high. He had given Hon. Evans kidero, and a host of other
moneyed giants with their well oiled campaign machinery, a run for their money.
With his humble
campaign give a ways, the man had managed to rally the low income earners of
the city, the hoi polloi behind him. But a reality check on 5th of
March 2013 dashed his personal, and his supporters’ hopes of bigger things. He had
been squarely defeated by his rival, ODM’s Evans kidero.
All seemed
like it was not lost. He challenged this outcome in the corridors of justice,
where he went ahead to lay a spirited claim that he won the elections.
After months of
waiting for justice, a court ruling on that September day sealed his fate.
Evans Kidero was duly elected as Nairobi governor, the courts ruled.
Tempers flared
outside High Court. His supporters had been denied justice, so they claimed.
Not one to give up
easily, old Waititu, flanked by his supporters took to the streets, protesting
the court’s move to nullify his petition.
Glimmer of hope. Glimmer
of hope. Waititu believed that one day, the courts will give him a chance to
explain himself.
That glimmer of
hope took time to finally arrive. But when it did, Waititu was at the center of
the hullabaloo.
It was yesterday
in the afternoon when the Court of appeal nullified kidero’s election.
Waititu and his
army of supporters were present at the courts, as expected. And minutes after
the shocking ruling, they bolted to City Hall, the official abode of the now
ousted (and probably beleaguered) Hon. Kidero.
A cocktail of
events took place there. The supporters could be heard causing chaos at the
hitherto silent city Hall, where they tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to smoke
out the stunned workers.
Kenyans on Twitter
woke from their slumber. Another governor has seen dust, Kidero out, they
shouted.
And Baba Yao was
all smiles as he gave an animated TV interview on how justice is sweet.
But! It’s not over
until it’s done. Though he was given a new lease of life to vie again, the same
courts had earlier barred him from holding public office. A bird whispered to
this writer that that also means he cannot seek political mandate. Or is a
governor not a state officer?
“He is not fit to
hold state office,” the judgment went.
Perhaps this explains
the coy smile on his lips, and the muted celebrations on his part. Maybe he
knows something that his supporters do not know. Will he run for political
office?
Only time will tell.
Photos: Capitalfm and courtesy
No comments:
Post a Comment