(By County Diary Correspondent in Makueni)
Makueni gubernatorial race is a titanic battle between political heavyweights flexing their muscles. It is a game of wits as Kibwana succession talk narrows to development.
Tensions are high, political daggers have drawn between former KMTC Chairman Prof. Philip Kaloki and a battery of wannabes. While others tag family names or positions they hold in political parties to chase clout Kaloki has risen above petty politicking and made development his core agenda.
“This has endeared him to the people because that is the language they seem to understand. The Professor of Economics has shaped Makueni politics from empty rhetorics to issue-based politics”.
Having served as a lecturer for 21 years in the USA, 5 years member of parliament in the speaker’s panel and 3 terms as a chairman of KMTC Kaloki brings a wealth of experience in public finance management.
He has thus far established 51 new secondary schools via CDF in Kibwezi and over 40 KMTC campuses in Kenya, six of them in Makueni County.
Again he is an academic giant having a PhD in Business administration from the University of Nairobi, a Master degree in Business Administration (Management) from Dallas Baptist University, USA and a bachelor degree in Business Administration (Economics-Finance & Management) from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, USA.
While addressing Parliament during the State of Nation Address recently, President Kenyatta acknowledged that the construction of new KMTC campuses during Prof. Kaloki’s tenure in office has substantially impacted the health sector in the country.
This has boosted the human resource capacity in hospitals across Kenya. The country is now producing enough medics. This earned Prof. Kaloki a recognition award from the President three years ago. Kudos Kaloki, job well done!
A proven track record or empty expectations? It’s a no brainer.