[Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkissery at past event. His death could severely affect reelection of President Uhuru Kenyatta.Photo/Nation]
The sudden death of Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery will prove detrimental to reelection of President Uhuru Kenyatta in just a month’s time.
Nkaissery 67, died on Friday night at Karen hospital even with earlier footages showing him full of health during peace prayers at Uhuru Park.
But his death comes at a time both Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga are jostling for over 800, 000 votes from Maa community in Kajiado, Narok and parts of Samburu.
Both presidential candidates had toured Nkaissery’s home with Kenyatta’s being the most recent one last week where he was accompanied by the tough speaking minister.
Although the region seems to be swaying in favour of Odinga, Nkaissery’s elder stature could have bolstered Uhuru’s chances given the community banks so much on elite elders advises.
In just under a year, the Maa community has been dealt a blow following the deaths of William Ntimama and John Keen, whom Nkaissery stood a chance of replacing them as spokesperson of the community.
His death leaves Stephen Ntutu, the outgoing Narok senator as the eldest Maasai engaging in national politics particularly after the retirement of former House Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo.
Ntutu is leaning towards Raila Odinga’s NASA given his brother; Patrick Ntutu is eyeing Narok governorship on CCM party.
In 2013, both Uhuru and Odinga scrambled for Maasai votes with each getting a fair share, a dynamic which is likely to change this year.