Moses Kuria: Wit, Wite, Willy

Honourable Moses Kuria, MP

The man we all love to hate, or is it hate to love? – The answer to this conundrum squarely lies on one’s geographical bearing among other flimsy reasons. Kenyans who dwell among the mountains may differ in opinion with those from the lake region.

But why should a man’s love or hate purely be decided by the geographical landscape of a country? 

Allow me to let you in on why this is the case. Kenya is divided into regions, better known as strongholds or just spheres of influence – for my bougie readers.

Kuria is a sworn defender of one faction – the mountain. And as such (mountaineer), will go to the ends of the earth for it. This bit about him is admirable, almost adorable.

Whether you think of him as a controversial, tribal chauvinist or embattled lying son of a gun – (according to a clique of NASA diehards), which is entirely your cross to bear, I would like us to just think about him as an actively concerned leader. Just so you can read through to the last paragraph.

I do not intend to mould perceptions about the person of Kuria; on the contrary, I think he is doing just fine for himself. It is also my intention not to clothe him with a holier-than-thou garment for none is righteous and Moses Kuria is mortal and fallible too.

All strongholds considered, Kuria, is to many an arsenal to have during a heated verbal encounter. This attribute qualifies him to be the thrifty and thriving politician that he is, when called to action.

As an alma mater of the University of Nairobi and a graduate of Commerce, Kuria is an accomplished businessperson venturing the markets of Dubai and other world markets. It is with his business acuity and capitalist ideals that he threw his weight behind the Kibaki administration in 2007.

His entry into the Kenyan political scene was worth it. It was a time when retaliatory remarks were welcomed and theatrics was to die for by the electorate and every politician was secretly working to polish theirs in order to impress the voters – Kuria was a natural.

The media was not left behind, Kuria was (and still is) a ‘source.’ The fiery sound bytes made the papers sell and boy was business good! (sarcastic).

(From left) Ferdinand Waititu, Harison, Moses Kuria

The Gatundu South law maker in cooperation with politicians of similar interests neatly planned Kibaki’s succession with Uhuru Kenyatta in mind; the plan was an epic success. So was the tyranny of votes and membership in parliament.

Nigerians say; the humility of a rabbit does not spare him from the hunter’s arrow – and this is why when Kuria is set to speak the ‘truth’ he does not mince his words or tweets. He is aware that politics and friendships are immiscible and so he says what he says in broad daylight.

Kuria has demonstrated this by expressing contempt for the opposition NASA leadership during ideological differences and when the script is flipped he has been seen dining and making up with the likes of Babu Owino and Muthama (his political archenemies).

Raila Odinga (left) and Moses Kuria (right) sharing a light moment

Is this not why he has earned and lost respect in equal measure? Some of the utterances that have brought controversy and stirred up emotions include a tweet in which he was alleged to have hated on the Luo ethnic community, an alleged call for assassination of Raila Odinga….and the case of using the f-word on a Nation Media journalist who was merely seeking an opinion on a subject matter.

Whereas the conduct or misconduct of the MP is a matter of public interest, it expressly remains his sole discretion.

Can he be excused for waking up on the wrong side of the bed daily or just having a groundhog bad day?

Like it or lump it Kuria is an indispensable Kenyan who has time against number proven that all is fair in love and politics.