Kabogo: A man of endless controversy

By ERIC WAINAINA

Just as his debut into elective politics was somewhat dramatic, Kiambu Governor William Kabogo’s political career has been steeped in controversy.

And while he appears to court controversy everywhere he goes, Kabogo’s resolve to fight for political office is ever aflame.

In an unwavering determination, Kabogo has weathered monumental storms to be where he is, and on his way up he has stepped on quite a number of toes.

In 2002, he burst into the political scene literally from nowhere. Few people had heard about him, with many dismissing his candidature as elitist and ill-advised.

But when he lost out on the much-sought Kanu ticket (Uhuru Kenyatta was then Kanu’s presidential candidate), Kabogo decamped to the little known Sisi Kwa Sisi party. And when the last vote was counted, he was pronounced the Juja MP.

Kabogo used to his advantage the very same traits he was being vilified for – flamboyance and elitist mien – to popularise his candidature.

Come 2007 and Juja residents were treated to perhaps the most well oiled contest (the battle of choppers) between Kabogo and George Thuo.

When he lost to Thuo, Kabogo was not ready to take defeat lying down.

He successfully petitioned the election of Thuo and when the by-election was called, he buried his political nemesis with a landslide victory on a Narc-Kenya ticket.

He ruffled feathers in Narc-Kenya and openly differed with party leader Martha Karua over his support for the then Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

Made headlines

And the controversy was not about to end there.

Since he captured the Kiambu gubernatorial seat, he continues making headlines.

After being sworn in at the historic Kirigiti Stadium, the flamboyant politician shifted the county headquarters from Kiambu (gazzetted) to Thika against the will on the majority. The wealthy leader cited the poor condition of Kiambu Municipal Council offices that were reserved for the governor.

Though he said his move was only temporary, Kabogo came under fire with Kiambu West residents (Kiambu, Githunguri, Limuru, Kikuyu and Lari) holding daily press conferences to protest the move but the governor would not budge. Before the dust could settle, he named a women-dominated executive committee, saying men who turned up for the interviews failed. Angered by his actions, the County Assembly rejected four nominees and two county public service board members.

Loved and hated in equal measure, Kabogo handled the fiasco extraordinarily, without fear or intimidation and he appears to have had the last laugh.

Some of his actions have created a rift in the County Assembly between his supporters and challengers but he always carries the day.

The County Budget Appropriation Bill did not go without fireworks after he refused to assent to it after MCAs amended it, nearly locking out the county from getting any allocation from the national Treasury.

Kabogo alleged that MCAs awarded themselves grants from money meant for the youth and women while the latter claimed he had allocated Sh1.2 billion to be controlled by his office.

Political wars

However, after days of heated political wars between the assembly and the executive, the Bill found its way back to the House and passed without amendment.

Responding to the furore over the Bill, Kabogo accused his political enemies of being behind his woes at the county.

He alleged people who are yet to recover from election loss have been holding meetings to strategise on making his leadership fail.

However, speaking at a recent function at Ndumberi Stadium, he said that he would not be shaken.

“There are people who have been meeting to strategise on how to bring me down but I won’t be cowed. Kabogo has become a household name that if anything wrong happens anywhere, I am dragged into it,” he said, adding that God is on his side.

Kabogo cautioned that negative politics would ruin the development agenda of Kiambu, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s county.

“It was claimed that I am the author of the Finance Bill to taint my image,” he said.

The controversial Finance Bill sought to impose taxes on both the dead and the living in Kiambu County.

Despite public outcry that greeted the Bill, Kabogo defended it, saying a boost in the collection of revenue would ensure development.

He said currently, Kiambu does not have any development money since the Sh6 billion given to the county by the national government is only enough to pay salaries.

In July, some members of the County Assembly plotted to eject the county Speaker Nick Ndichu. The 52 members appended their signatures on a Motion to eject Ndichu after they accused Kabogo of interfering with the running of the assembly through the Speaker. However, the plot failed.

No easy job

During the Mashujaa Day celebrations at the historic Kirigiti Stadium, Kabogo acknowledged that being a governor is not an easy task as many may think.

“This job is not easy. But all in all we must deliver despite the challenges. And the many challenges like the ones you see (the controversies) are what we will have to endure to achieve results,” he said.

Kabogo says he is used to the wrangles and does not worry even if they are reported in the media.?“Mau ni maitho ma kiura maria matagiragia ng’ombe cinuywe mai (Those are frog’s eyes that cannot prevent cows from drinking water),” he says.

The Governor has also been accused of trading in narcotics, a claim he denies and says are only meant to taint his image.

“People said I sell ‘panadol’ (drugs) but these are propaganda just because I am rich. I have been blessed with wealth,” he says.

Born on April 4, 1964 in Komothai village in Githunguri, Kabogo attended St George’s Ruiru Primary School, then Thika Technical School between 1975 and 1978 before joining Punjab University, India, for a Bachelor of Commerce degree.