The Moses Kuria Conundrum and the Mystery of the Kiambu Gubernatorial Elections

Moses Kuria, the current Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade, and Industry, has been at the center of several controversies recently. From his actions as a government official to his involvement in the Kiambu gubernatorial race, his journey is a fascinating and complex story that deserves a closer look.

Moses Kuria: Foreign Trips and Questionable Results

In the first 100 days of the Kenya Kwanza administration, Kuria embarked on 19 foreign trips—a record-breaking number, even surpassing the Foreign Affairs CS, Alfred Mutua, who took 15 trips in the same period. As a Trade CS, one would expect Kuria’s travels to yield tangible economic benefits for Kenya. However, questions remain:

How many trade agreements or policies have resulted from these trips?

What measurable benefits have Kenyans experienced?

If this were a private company, a CEO justifying such expenses would likely struggle to produce meaningful results. Kuria’s favorite destination, Belarus, is particularly intriguing. Official records mention only one trip to Belarus, yet other sources suggest he has visited multiple times. Belarus, a country often linked with money laundering and other shady dealings, raises even more eyebrows.

The Political Dimension

One notable feature of the current administration is the predominance of politicians in the Cabinet—a sharp departure from the technocratic approach envisioned in the 2010 Constitution. Kuria, a politician deeply rooted in tribal rhetoric, has seen his abrasive style backfire in the current political climate. His attacks on the media, for instance, have drawn criticism even from his Mount Kenya base, signaling a shift in how Kenyans engage with divisive politics.

This begs the question: what is Kuria’s political future if he exits his Cabinet role? With his old strategies no longer effective, he may find the road back to elective politics much harder.

The Drama Behind Kiambu’s Gubernatorial Elections

Kuria’s attempt to run for governor in Kiambu during the 2022 elections added another layer of intrigue. Despite finishing a distant fourth with only 24,512 votes, his participation hinted at deeper political maneuvering.

The election itself was mired in controversy. Reports from Kiambu suggest massive rigging in favor of a particular candidate, leaving many voters convinced that the declared results did not reflect their choices. Notably:

Crowded Field: Candidates like Patrick Wainaina (Wajungle), William Kabogo, and the then-incumbent James Nyoro divided the vote.

Strategic Candidates: There were indications that some candidates were used to siphon votes from stronger contenders, echoing tactics seen in past Kenyan elections.

Rigging Challenges: A last-minute shift in the presidential election results spilled over into Kiambu, creating inconsistencies.

Kiambu’s voter turnout was historically low, with many polling stations appearing deserted—even in areas considered political strongholds. The mystery deepens when comparing the gubernatorial and presidential results, which show inexplicable margins.

Conclusion

Moses Kuria’s actions as a CS and politician offer a glimpse into the complexities of Kenyan politics. His foreign travels, controversial past, and involvement in one of the most disputed elections in Kiambu raise critical questions about governance, accountability, and electoral integrity.

Kenya’s political future depends on confronting these challenges head-on.