Did Jimmy Wanjigi deliver on the financial pledges he made
to Nasa? It appears he did not, going by latest reports.
The controversial wheeler-dealer was said to be
single-handedly financing Nasa campaigns before the August 8th elections.
Initially, he mostly operated behind the scenes and there were only rumours
about his activities. But then as the date approached, he became bold enough
and started appearing in public. He was there at Catholic University when Raila
was hosted on a solo debate. He was also there at Bomas when results started
trickling in.
As the country heads for a fresh election, it appears Jimmy
has started losing friends with Nasa circles.
According to The Star, the billionaire and his
point-man in the coalition, Willis Otiento, who also happens to be the campaign
secretariat chief, are now unwanted.
Reportedly, a decision to expel the duo was arrived at this
weekend in Kilaguni, Taita Taveta, where Raila and NASA principals had
retreated to plot their campaign and start fundraising.
The newspaper reports that Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Musalia
Mudavadi (ANC) and Moses Wetang’ula (Ford Kenya) all told Raila they did not
want Wanjigi because “he did not help NASA as expected and instead caused
the team problems.”
“The principals were clear in their assessment that Wanjigi
had promised so much and delivered almost nothing to the campaign,”
Among the things promised but not delivered by Wanjigi, were
money for a tallying centre, poll agents and media adverts.
There was general consensus that Wanjigi was responsible for
the embarrassment brought about by among other things, the infamous second
manifesto. This one had included mega projects which were seen as a way to
reward the financiers of the party. This was not hard to sell because it fits
perfectly into Jimmy Wanjigi’s modus operandi.
In the retreat, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Johnstone
Muthama were named heads of resource mobilisation and logistics. Economist
David Ndii will head the strategy team, and all Nasa elected officials are
expected to put everything aside for the next 2 months to campaign for the
party.
Also reportedly discussed at the retreat attended by all
Nasa principals except Isaac Ruto, was the role of Raila’s children Winnie and
Junior in party affairs. Leaders want them excluded and professionals brought
in.
