Mutua walking a political tightrope even as Machakos sparkles

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua took to his work with such gusto and in such a whirlwind that he must have left his floundering colleagues in other counties green with envy. He was acclaimed as the only governor who understood the concept of development in the devolved system of governance. Could that acclaim have been premature?

This is a country where the principle of collective responsibility still holds sway. In a setup in which political leaders consider it anathema to be in a hurry to please the masses — when this can be done once every five years to great effect — Dr Mutua was not going to have his way. He was bound to be slowed down. And the clandestine forces pulled him up so short he must be wondering what hit him. He had to understand that in the context of Kenya’s political leadership, collectivism must be espoused over individuality.