Saturday, 19 October 2013

This man, Tony Gachoka

Tony Gachoka is a man of many titles. Activist, self-proclaimed political strategist, media consultant, the list is endless.
This is a man you can not wish away. Ask the mother, I am told he was cursed after he used the family coffee plantation to secure a loan in order to start a business which only did well just in the early periods of inception.
Even his young sister Ciku Muiruri,I hear was mad at him after the bank came calling, wanting to auction the piece of land.
But who is Gachoka? This man is easily connected to everyone, including the president. They have history by the way.
So he even helped Ciku get a job in the Uhuru Kenyatta dream team in the campaign team, she was virtual head of media team, if my memory serves me right.
One would wonder, how did Tony get up there? Trust you me, there is a mystery around this man that no one seems to get  right, but one thing is a fact, he is up there, the man is on top of his league I tell you.
Does it matter how he got up there? That is you to decide, however opportunity comes to everyone, difference is how you go about it. Don't be too ambitious, compose yourself and go for it.
A friend once told me to always go where the grass is greener, meaning that where you are the grass might be green but if you see healthier and greener grass, why not?
In the 2007 elections, TG, as he is popularly known, was Raila Odinga's confidante, courtesy of Mama Ngilu they say. He was in the wagon probably because he was sure of Odinga's victory. But he dropped after, after gathering all nailing evidence that Raila had a role to play in the PEV, which I don't think it was significant, that was probably to seduce Uhuru.
But sure he got a job as a campaign strategist, he probably is something in state house right now.
By the way Gachoka and Uhuru have history. In the late 80s and early 90s, when Gachoka had just started his paper sunday post, which was more of an expose by the way. His contacts with Gideon Moi helped him big time. That's  how he met Uhuru, and they clicked right away. Mind you, he enjoyed trips to S.A with the first family during those weekends.
So when someone says that it is Ngilu who fixed him in the jubilee alliance, I wonder.
Listening to Tony Gachoka on n Jeff Koinange Live, I wouldn't help myself but just marvel with admiration .
He even became my Shujaa right away.
With the determination of a buffalo, his voice roaring like a lion, with valour inherited from a legend probably Waiyaki, I could see an older me. He is a great debator, he is an asset to Uhuruto, problem is his loyalty can't be predicted. He could be working for you, while scheming only to backstab you after he leaves.
But he inspires me, personally.

Thursday, 10 October 2013

Ambassador Amina Mohammed

This is an iron lady. I sat down today and listened to her press briefing about the AU meetings and I can tell you, she is a boss.
Amina has a way of speaking, when she talks, you listen. Her voice, drunk with authority, her lips curving and shaping the words that hit your ears like thunder with excitement. You can't help but wait for the more words to come.
With very high diplomatic skills, Amina Mohammed is just the woman for the job, you see ambassador Amina has a way of answering questions that even journalists themselves aren't able to trap her.
Listening to her answering questions today I would only laugh quietly to myself. She has got the right words for the moment. I would only pity the helpless journalists.
Ambassador Amina does not answer your question, she makes you think she has. But the funny thing is that even the journalists themselves don't realise this, and even if they do they don't say.
So what is the magic and the charm behind this diplomat?
Born and Brought up in Kakamega county, Amalemba constituency. She attended her primary education just around the county. She later went to Butere girls for high school education, after which she attended highlands school. She won a scholarship to study international law in Ukraine and that my good people, is how the road started, say starting from the bottom.
But What makes her so outstanding? Many things. This lady, who is fluent in more than five languages including Russian and French is a lot of every thing. She has working experience of more than 25 years in the international arena, 26 years precisely, and I can tell you in every place she has been, she has left marks.
It's a no wonder therefore that this 52 year old has many honours and awards to her name including The National Award of Chief of Burning Spear(CBS).
She has worked in various ministries as a permanent secretary before becoming the cabinet secretary in the Uhuru administration in the early quarter of this year.
In the ministry of justice, Amina did a lot for the country, she supervised drafting, negotiation national referendum and promulgation of the new constitution in 2008 to 2010.
In the ministry of foreign affairs Ambassador Amina was instrumental in restructuring, reforming and rationalising the ministry and also other missions abroad.
At the UNEP, Ambassador Amina spearhead the UNEP medium term strategy and programmes.
At the world trade organisation (WTO) Amina did among other things drafting and interpretation of international trade treaties and not forgetting representing Kenya's interests at the WTO.
So what is unique about this mother of two,who balances between being a mother, a wife and a diplomat?
It is no surprise that even my kind, the fourth estate, find it a nightmare to pin her down.
She is really an inspiration to many including myself.