Dot Not Write Off Abduba Dida - He Could Be The Third Force In This Presidential Race

When presidential candidate Abduba Dida featured on KTN News ‘Meet the President show' to outline his agenda as potential fifth president of the Republic; he repeatedly veered off the topic, often lecturing the audience on morality and godliness.

He was vague in most of his responses. On food security, for instance, he advanced a ‘one slice of bread policy’. That a single piece was packed with numerous calories to quell one’s hunger and that one only risks committing suicide by partaking more of it.

Such was expected of him. The humble teacher who shot into the limelight during the 2013 presidential debate speaks plainly, lacing responses on issues affecting the nation with humour.

He tends only to take the tide during the election season. In 2013 presidential debate, for instance, he stole the show by revealing that the antidote to challenges health sector in the country was putting eating habits in check.

“When you are hungry, you do not need to fill your belly with food.” He announced. “You need a third of food, a third of water and a third for breathing space.”

He is back, striking on the same chord. On ‘Meet the President’, he blamed bad governance to the stubborn tendency of mankind slithering back to latent developmental stages. That folks are sinking in the abyss of godlessness and that he will not waste any time as president to fix things by ensuring we are as a worshipping nation.

There was another tomahawk of a revelation – actually, a discovery informed by his inquest into developmental stages of mankind. A worrisome bombshell about that some fate besetting humanity: or how else would you explain the phenomenon regarding our kids bulging in size but shrinking in intelligence as he observed?

Humour is sometimes regarded as a mark of intelligence. Coupled with a straightforward way of articulating oneself; he could be the real third force in the works for this race. He cuts a personality that all can resonate with and speaks a language that all can understand.

Pithy and witty; I found him interesting especially as he delved into moralistic lectures. But I also respect those who maximize on opportunities – he is definitely not presidential material but has access to a platform we all crave for.

He is a highlight in our political history as we remain footnotes.

He appears wise in some instances, is endowed with an admirable sense; and speaks plainly in a language that appeals to some constituencies that will remember him on the ballot in August and humiliate some heavyweights in the race.

Some folks have dismissed him as a joker who only surfaces during election time. Others brand him as a religious bigot interested furthering his agenda on a national platform.

Be as it may, this man Dida has inspired many to seize opportunities after his surprise participation in the 2013 elections. He spent less on his ‘lectures’ and beat seasoned candidates who prepared fairly better for the race like Martha Karua, Paul Muite, and Peter Kenneth by garnering over 50,000 votes.

He could be part of the reason why the 2017 race attracted numerous candidates some of whom were turned away by IEBC for failing to merit – like Solomon Gichira who reportedly attempted to commit suicide.

He has reminded us that opportunities do not always present themselves in black and white but also in shades of gray. I am sure he is not in this race to win but for a platform that enables him to preach the word and enlighten us on his philosophies.

It is working his way – President Uhuru had already taken notice and offered him a job that attracted public outcry. Call him a joker, a bigot, timewaster but don't forget that he could be the most famous teacher edging closer to the limelight and opportunities thanks to ‘platform’.

Something else, he is clear about favors. He does not need them! How about us? If Uhuru called you for a job and some folks made noise, would you just keep mum? Most of us would defect to his party the following day to beg him not to listen to the noise makers.

I like folks who rise from the muck of obscurity; fired by a stubborn conviction that success is within reach.

Others call the power of purpose – and Dida seems to possess it.

He is doing wonders with his training in English literature and religious knowledge. We are here, intellectually frozen with lots of degrees, plans, and frameworks.