So Just Who’s Sam Wakiaga, The Man ODM Wants To Be The Next Governor Of Nairobi

Not much is known about him, in the political undertones, he’s been tooted as a possible successor of Raila in the Luo politics, that’s how powerful he’s deemed. For those who’ve been listening, he’s been in the grapevines as one of the richest men in the lakeside. Coming from Mbita island in Homabay county, Samuel Owino Wakiaga is now posed to be the second governor from Homa Bay to run Nairobi if all goes well with the ODM’s plans.

His mysterious nature is however not surprising given his professional background.

Over the years, he has been known as a businessman – including in the media. But unknown to many is the fact that Sam can Wakiaga worked for the National Intelligence Service, not as a spook, although he has a Master’s degree in National Security Policy, but as head of Finance for close to two decades. He rose through the ranks from mere accountant to become Assistant Director in charge of Economic Affairs.. He’s been gossiped as one of the most powerful men in Raila Odinga’s circle, key financier to the Orange Democratic Party(ODM).

In the political books, Wakiaga was poised to replace Cyprian Awiti as the Governor Of Homa Bay but the books have been flipped, incidentally, former Governor Of Nairobi Evans Kidero who’s now set to be the next governor of Homa Bay come from the same county. Both are political bigwigs in the ODM party and said to be key financiers as well. It’s unclear how the deal will to switch both was reached.

It was expected of ODM and jubilee party to field a joint candidate for the seat but both went separate ways with jubilee fronting Ex MP Dennis Waweru & Agnes Kagure for primaries setting stage for a grand battle.

Some are holding the view that ODM’s strategy could not be necessarily to regain the Nairobi seat but a great platform to give Wakiaga a boost and a platform into the national politics. It could also boost his bid to capture the Homa Bay seat in the 2022 elections as Awiti exits. It could as well be a strategy to get him out of the way for Gladys Wanga, Kidero who’re leading contenders in Homa Bay.

Others are also holding view that Wakiaga a new entrant in Nairobi murky politics could have been strategically by ODM in a silent deal to deputies jubilee’s Waweru who’s seen as a stringer candidate. The handshake duo are determined not to make a repeat of Msambweni mistakes and lose to Tanga Tanga whose candidate is speculated to be fraudulent Ferdinand Waititu.

Sammy Wakiaga (C) with ODM leader Raila Odinga during a past event.

While his businesses and operations remains a mystery, what’s apparent is his adherence to Raila’s doctrine. In a past, rare interview , Wakiaga told off those calling for Raila’s retirement from politics, “You retire from a seat, one does not retire from trying to get a seat! You must get a seat first and then retire from it. Besides, talking about Raila’s retirement is unfair to him and to Kenya because he has something to offer the Country. We, therefore, need to vote him president and only then can we have the retirement conversation.” He told The Stardard.

Wakiaga’s critics have often labeled him a betrayer to the Luo Nation for having not secured Raila’s win in the 2013 that ODM claimed was rigged, given his position in NIS but he rubbished off the claims.

“First, I am not a spokesperson for NIS and anybody who has questions for NIS should direct their questions to them. Yes, I have equally heard the rumours but I was dealing with issues of finance, not political issues. But the insinuations are wrong, they are rumours and we should not be spreading them. I do not wish to reduce myself to a rumourmonger because none of these people walking around peddling these stories has evidence to show this is how Raila’s votes were stolen and this is how Wakiaga was sitting in the room where they were being stolen and this is why he did not come out to tell us they were being stolen.”

“Even if I were to tell people; was I to tell Raila or the people yapping around? Is it Raila questioning or someone else? From where I sit, our people need to respect institutions where people from the community also work. They make it so difficult for our people who work in those institutions because of some of the insinuations they make. If votes are stolen, the people to ask are at IEBC and not institutions like NIS.” He commented on the allegations of being a sellout to the Luo nation on alleged voter fraud.

Wakiaga the son to Senior Chief Semekia Wakiaga is married to Susan Wakiaga who was previously appointed to Agricultural Development Corporation board and earlier this year under handshake agreement was posted by Foreign Ministry as Kenya’s minister counselor to Geneva, Switerzland.

Self styled philanthropist Sammy Wakiaga with DP Ruto during a function.

A brief of his bio;