Ferdinard Waititu is an outspoken and most controversial politician in Kenya. Mention his name and Kenyans will have different opinions of him, ranging from his utterances, political theatrics, educational background and his shining political career.
Waititu is undoubtedly the luckiest politician in Kenya.
His political journey began after being elected to city hall as a councillor for Njiru ward on a KANU ticket. Four years later, he manoeuvred his way becoming deputy mayor where he constantly locked horns with by then Embakasi MP David Mwenje. He gatecrashed into meetings and rallies convened by Mwenje.
Following heated running battles between the two, Mwenje stepped down from contesting Embakasi parliamentary seat during 2007 general elections giving Waititu a chance to contest on a PNU ticket.
Unfortunately, the now Kiambu governor narrowly lost to Mugabe Were of ODM.
Few days after being elected, Were died and a by-election was held where Waititu triumphed against Esther Passaris of ODM becoming Embakasi MP.
His reign as Embakasi MP was littered with theatrics, Waititu clashed with police and alleged land grabbers. Videos of him hurling stones at police officers went viral, an act that earned him the monicker 'Baba Yao'.
In 2013 general elections, Waititu declared an interest in Nairobi gubernatorial seat. Serious contenders led by Evans Kidero, Jimnah Nambaru among others dismissed him as a ruffian. However, he gave Kidero a shock of his life when he narrowly lost to him.
Baba Yao garnered a total of 617,839 votes against Kidero's 692,483 votes. He went to court to challenge Kidero's election but the court reinstated him as a duly elected Nairobi governor.
Waititu retreated into private life. As luck is, an opportunity presented itself in 2015 following the death of Kabete MP George Muchai. Waititu gave a try in a by-election which he won becoming area's MP.
He later expressed his interests in Kiambu gubernatorial seat, his greatest opponent William Kabogo dismissed him but again triumphed in 2017 general elections becoming Kiambu's second governor.
Waititu is undoubtedly the luckiest politician in Kenya, fate throws him into oblivion but luck and opportunity come knocking and he doesn't hesitate to embrace it.
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