Former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu was among the guests who graced the Homa Bay County International Conference on Wednesday, February 28. Former Kitui governor Charity Ngilu took a low profile after her Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition faction lost the presidential elections. Where was Charity Ngilu? This was the first time in many months for Ngilu to appear at a public event and make a powerful political statement. The politician, who unsuccessfully contested for the presidency in 1997 and went on to serve as minister of Health and Water between 2003 and 2013, bowed out of the Kitui gubernatorial race after her political faction’s leader, Raila Odinga, promised her a lucrative job in the hope that he would clinch the presidency in 2022. Having been vocal and squarely taking on President William Ruto’s allies, who were Raila’s greatest rivals, Ngilu went underwater after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared the former victorious. Why Charity Ngilu stayed away from Azimio la Umoja protests The seasoned politician embraced a noticeably low profile after the hurtful loss and only showed up in public in April 2023, when Raila’s camp spearheaded demonstrations to protest against the high cost of living and electoral malpractices, giving birth to the bi-partisan talks. When she resurfaced in April 2023, Ngilu explained why she was not showing up in the streets with her Azimio la Umoja Coalition counterparts. “The current government has failed to deliver its promises to Kenyans, but you will not see me in the streets. I have been in the streets for long, and it is time for the young leaders we have mentored to do that,” she stated. She said she had been in the protests since the 1990s, under the regime of former president Daniel Arap Moi. It was not until July 24, 2023, when a photo of Ngilu shaking hands with Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi made political enthusiasts feel her presence. Charity Ngilu resurfaces in Homa Bay county Therefore, her appearance in Homa Bay could not go unnoticed at the event’s venue and online, where videos and photos capturing her presence were posted. Appearing to be in high spirits, Ngilu was full of praise for Homa Bay governor Gladys Wanga, whom she said had done so much in two years and endorsed her for reelection come 2027. “Thank you so much, Governor Gladys Wanga. After 10 years, what next? You will be the president of Kenya,” Ngilu said as she acknowledged Wanga’s welcoming remarks. Ngilu said that Wanga’s ability to bring top Kenyan leaders from across the political divide was worth applause. “If you have done this in two years, what will you use the next eight years for? Your governor is linking with foreign investors and addressing issues affecting the people. We can turn around the poverty situation in Kenya if we all use our resources well. Without blaming anybody, we need to unite as leaders and realise we can use what God has given us—land, lake, capital, and technology—to be the right leaders,” Ngilu said. Charity Ngilu’s appeal to Raila Odinga Ngilu also asked Raila to give his troops directions to take as he focused on the African Union Commission seat. Her presence and comments got political enthusiasts talking. “We’re happy to see you again! Welcome to Homa Bay,” Steven Ochieng commented on Ngilu’s photo posted by Wanga. Rodgers Opiyo was happy to see and hear from Ngilu and gladly welcomed her. “Happy to see Mama wetu (our mother) Ngilu,” said Opiyo in reference to the politician known for her presidential campaign slogan, Masaa ya Ngilu (Ngilu’s time). Kenyans react to Ngilu’s resurfacing in Homa Bay Daniel Ochieng Osunga said that he was delighted to see the politician who was among the first women to clinch a gubernatorial position. “It’s always a delight to see Mama Charity Kaluki Ngilu,” Ochieng said. Sami Mayo sarcastically acknowledged Ngilu’s presence, attributing her disappearance from the public to former IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati’s declaration. “Waaaah….huyu alipotea kabisaa….aki Chebukati (She had completely disappeared courtesy of Chebukati’s deeds),” Said Mayo. Other female leaders and governors from the political divide attended the packed event at Tom Mboya University.
by Michael Ollinga Oruko