Ferdinand Waititu has made it clear he is a man to reckon with in Kenya’s politics.
The Kabete MP has been in the front line in prayer rallies for Deputy President William Ruto and Radio Presenter Joshua Sang.
He also joined Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria and others in tarnishing the way the International Criminal Court (ICC) got its witnesses, terming it as procuring.
Waititu, formerly an Embakasi MP, was known as a stone-thrower after he led locals in pelting a suspected land grabber.
When questioned about his style of action, Waititu called it ‘instant justice’.
He repeated this soon after winning the Kabete parliamentary seat where he led locals in pouring illicit alcohol.
Later, he would boast that his way of doing things was endorsed by President Uhuru Kenyatta after his directive of pouring of illicit brew was replicated in Kiambu, Central Kenya and other parts.
He made a historical manoeuvre in politics by literally resurrecting after he lost the Nairobi gubernatorial seat to Evans Kidero.
Waititu changed his strategy when the Kabete parliamentary seat fell vacant where he won with a huge margin. This brought him back to the limelight, back into parliament and the politics of the day.
Moving forward, Waititu has said he will vie for the Kiambu gubernatorial seat come 2017.
His eyeing the governor’s seat has seen him trade words with the current area Governor William Kabogo who has promised Waititu a tough duel.
Waititu enjoys the support of Kiambu parliamentarians who were against Kabogo’s leadership style, accusing him of showmanship and chest thumping.
MPs who have openly supported Waititu and opposed Kabogo are Kimani Ichungwa (Kikuyu), Jude Njomo (Kiambu town), Alice Nganga (Thika) and Mburu Kahangara (Lari).
Waititu is renowned as Baba Yao, a nickname that has made him a favourite of the people seemingly because he represents the interests of the people.
Benson Maina, a local political analyst says one hardly sees Waititu wearing a suit or tucking in his shirt, but is usually casual with no bodyguards around him.
“Waititu is seen as a man of the people. You can find him in your local neighbourhood and chat openly, and this ‘man of the people’ style is something people appreciate in a leader,” said Maina.
This man Waititu is a man to watch not only in Kiambu, but national politics.
He is a game changer, bold and fearless; characteristics needed to play in Kenya’s political arena.