By Dorcas S
Let Annie Run!
“Anne Waiguru is not a big woman, but she nevertheless appears to fill a room because of her abrasive self-assuredness and – as MPs have concluded – disregard for integrity in leadership.”
So starts a piece by John Ngirachu in today’s Daily Nation; a piece that discusses whether or not the besieged and disgraced former Cabinet Secretary (CS) of Devolution & Planning should be barred from the upcoming elections unless she can “account for her wealth” i.e. the KSh. 791mn that went missing during her time at the department.
First off, the idea that Anne Waiguru is “not a big woman” is open to debate and “big” is definitely a relative descriptor. Additionally, the idea of Kenya’s MPs questioning someone’s “integrity in leadership” is a narrative/theme Eric Omondi, Jalan’go or Churchill could do an entire season on. It is absolutely laughable and the very embodiment of “kettles meeting pots”!
Finally, I am trying to understand the difference – if any – between the “abrasive and self-assured” Annie and the many foul-mouthed – abrasive – male politicians such as Moses Kuria. Is there a difference between the two?
Be that as it may, the purist in me is like “Hell Yeah!” “Lock her up” to use a phrase popularized by the candidacy of a Jubilee favorite – DJT. And while at it, throw away the keys for good measure. Anne Waiguru is as crooked as Jubilee – the party she’s representing; that she represented as CS!
On the other hand, the altruistic & fair-minded person that I try to be is like “Sorry? Why her and not DP Ruto – who has been mentioned in so many scandals during his four-year stint as DP that most have stopped counting?” Can someone explain to me like they would to a 3-year old why the different treatment between two similarly corrupt individuals – Annie and Willie?
Furthermore, the feminist in me is like the altruist in me: Why Annie and not “Hustler” given the purported raison d’etre for the decision to question her candidacy: Failure to account for her wealth?
I am sorry but the focus on Ms. Waiguru’s candidacy and not on DP Ruto’s – in this election cycle; given the fundamental issues at stake – implication in gross malfeasance – reeks of sexism and double-standards.
The “good” people of Kirinyaga have spoken in favor of Annie for Governor. If her past was an issue why didn’t the Public Account Committee of National Assembly expedite the hearing/decision regarding her candidacy?
Let Annie Run!
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