Lee Kinyanjui's witty criticism of Ruto's government, prior to CS nomination

Whoever said that political loyalty is as strong as the next opportunity, must have been ahead of their time.

The nomination of Former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui as the Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade, and Industry is a living testimony of these sentiments.

Let us start from the beginning.

After losing to the now Nakuru Governor, Susan Kihika, Kinyanjui became a member of opposition but unlike his peers who always graced our television screens criticizing the government, with others going as far as hitting sufurias with spoons on live television, the former governor took a different approach.

His criticism was subtle but still delivered the message.

Mr Kinyanjui took a more theatrical, poetic, satirical and sarcastic view, activating his prowess in literature.

Through his social media pages, the English Literature graduate put his degree to good use by composing poems that showed his mastery of the arts, giving us productions such as the masterpiece, “But I paid anyhow” that criticized the Kenya Kwanza government for imposing punitive taxes on Kenyans.

Soon after, on September this year, Kinyanjui took another jab at the government with another poem titled “A new kingpin”.

Here, he highlighted matters of national importance that had been a topic of discussion, from the tragic incident that occurred at the Hillside Endarasha Academy, to the New Funding Model and lastly the JKIA takeover drama.

You might also recall the time he compared the ouster of Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as ‘performances that could be likened to those that took place during the drama festival’.

However, a few hours before news of his appointment broke, Kinyanjui had penned down another cryptic post about a woman named Lady Godiva the queen of Coventry, who was so disturbed by the oppression her subjects were undergoing in the hands of the husband, the king, who had imposed heavy taxes on them.

The only way to save her people from the harsh economy was for her to walk through the main street naked.

“Determined, Lady Godiva decided to take on the challenge. Riding on horseback with nothing but her long, silky hair to cover her, she strode through the streets with unwavering resolve and love for her people” read part of the post.

The post continues to read, “In the end, the taxes were reduced, bringing joy to the people. Today, a monument to her courage stands tall in Coventry. Lady Godiva’s courageous act is remembered to this day as a symbol of selflessness and dedication to the greater good.”

Some netizens deduced that the post was an explanation as to why he will accept the nomination as perhaps he sees it as a move ‘for the greater good.’

Following news of the appointment, it became apparent that, kwa siasa hakuna uadui., as Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika was among the first to congratulate Kinyanjui on his nomination.

Two years ago, no one would have foretold such a scenario occurring.

But as the saying goes, a day in politics is a long time and the only constant in politics, is change.

All eyes now turn to Kinyanjui waiting to see if he will accept the nomination from President William Ruto.