Skip to main content

Leaders converge for the 23rd Memorial Anniversary of Michael Kijana Wamalwa


Political leaders, majorly drawn from the opposition, gathered at Kitale, Trans Nzoia County on Sunday August 23, 2023 to commemorate the life and times of the late Michael Kijana Wamalwa.

Leaders who graced the occasion included former Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper Leader), Justin Muturi (DP Leader), Dr. Fred Matiang'i, Martha Karua, Charity Ngilu and Eugine Wamalwa.

Michael Kijana Wamalwa served as Kenya's eighth Vice President under the leadership of President Mwai Kibaki. He was the Ford Kenya Chairman, having inherited the seat after the demise of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in 1994.

He died on the 23rd of August 2003, at the age of 59 years, while receiving treatment at Royal Free Hospital in London.

The late Wamalwa is remembered for his unmatched leadership qualities, excellent mastery of the Queen's language, a great orator and being too honest to the point of naivety.

Wamalwa's clarion call for a united opposition made it possible to dislodge KANU in 2002, after years  of misrule and ineptitude under the Moi regime.

The opposition used the occasion to amplify their call for unity to trounce the current government led by President William Ruto.

The occasion culminated in a reminiscent of the formation of NARC, where Mwai Kibaki, Wamalwa Kijana and Charity Ngilu teamed up with KANU renegades such as Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, William Ole Ntimama, George Saitoti, Joseph Kamotho among others to form a bigger team that outwitted Moi's political squad.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta spoke bitterly about those who branded him with the 'sponsorship tag.'

He stated that Kenyans are free to choose their preferred presidential candidate - be it Kalonzo, Ruto, Matiang'i or Sifuna.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Power of the Phone in Political Revolutions - a Case Study of Kenyan Genzs

Kenya's June 2024 #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests are Africa's clearest example of how the smartphone replaced the party, the podium and the press release as the engine of revolution. Unlike previous opposition-led protests, this was leaderless and tribeless, it would not have happened. 1. The Phone as Parliament a) Translation and Civic Education The Finance Bill 2024 was 100+ pages of tax jargon. On TikTok, Gen Zs broke it down in 60-second videos in English, Swahili, Sheng, and vernacular. They used ChatGPT to explain clauses like "16% VAT on bread" and "2.5% motor vehicle tax" to a boda rider in Kisumu and a student in Mombasa simultaneously. b) The Phonebook as a Weapon Activists leaked MPs' phone numbers on X. Influencer Amerix and others encouraged Kenyans to spam calls, SMS and WhatsApp with "Reject the Bill". Parliament's switchboard collapsed. It was direct digital lobbying - no need to march to Parliament when Parliament is in yo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Kenyans surprised over UDA's 'Voters Repair' remarks for President Ruto 2027 reelection

 Kenyans are reacting strongly to remarks by some UDA leaders that many interpret as hints at election manipulation ("ukarabati ya kura" / "voters repair") ahead of the 2027 presidential election. What Happened On or around May 23, 2026, NTV Kenya and other outlets aired footage from a UDA meeting at Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula's home.  Leaders including Savula and MP Charles Gimose reportedly used phrases like "tutafanya ukarabati ya kura" (we will repair/do maintenance on the votes).  Some comments referenced high victory margins in places like Tanzania under Samia Suluhu or Museveni-style wins. This has been widely seen as implying plans to "fix" or pad results in favor of President William Ruto's reelection, rather than a literal call for better voter registration or system maintenance. Public Reaction 1. Surprise and outrage: Many Kenyans on X and social media expressed shock, viewing it as arrogant or desperate signaling am...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to commercialize your prototype innovation in Kenya

Commercializing a prototype in Kenya involves transforming your innovation from a proof-of-concept stage into a marketable product or service that generates revenue. This process requires protecting your intellectual property (IP), validating market demand, securing funding, and selecting the right business model.  Kenya has a supportive ecosystem with government agencies, grants, and innovation hubs to help.  Below is a step-by-step guide based on established practices and resources. 1. Protect Your Intellectual Property (IP) Before commercialization, safeguard your innovation to prevent copying. In Kenya, IP protection is handled by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI). Register your IP : File for patents, trademarks, copyrights, or industrial designs. Patents are crucial for inventions and provide a 20-year monopoly.  Start with a patent search to ensure novelty, then apply via KIPI's online portal. Costs range from KSh 3,000–50,000 depending on the type. Why...
Post a Comment
Read more