Blowing Hot and Cold: Could This be the Best Option for Ruto to Fix Kimani Ngunjiri After the Betrayal Kiss?

weekly-ENQUIRER

In our inaugural edition of the Weekly Enquirer where every Saturday we shall be questioning and trying to make sense of the week’s big political events, this Saturday we focus on Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri.

Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri

OPENING STATEMENT

Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri’s move on Thursday to support the BBI Bill not only shocked DP William Ruto's Tangatanga team, but also his supporters. 

The MP, however, defended his move on Friday saying it was a conscious decision informed by the benefits the BBI Bill is set to bring to Nakuru residents.

"I voted without being influenced by anyone and that does not amount to betrayal of the DP. The Bill is good for Nakuru County and that is an important thing. I voted in support of the Bill but I still remain on the front line in drumming up support for a Ruto presidency in 2022," Ngunjiri told the Standard.

"In Nakuru County, we are getting five new constituencies. This means more funds coming to the grassroots in addition to the plan to give 35 per cent national revenue to counties. That is in line with the bottom-up strategy that Dr Ruto is pursuing," Ngunjiri stated, further justifying his decision to support BBI.

Two weeks ago during a press conference, Ngunjiri had, nevertheless, termed the Bill as a misplaced priority saying the government should, instead, spend the funds it planned to use to bankroll the referendum on fighting Covid-19 pandemic.

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Now, were all these BBI benefits Ngunjiri is talking about revealed to him on Thursday just before he cast his vote or he is just looking for something to justify his apparent betrayal of his boss, Ruto? 

Well, only him can answer that question and whether he decides to lie or tell the truth, it’s none of the Enquirer's concerns as ours is to attempt to make sense from what is available in the outer realm. 

And which other better way to do it than borrowing from the wisdom of the Man and the Satyr fable.

The Man and the Satyr

A Man and a Satyr once drank from the same cup together as a demonstration of strong alliance that was growing between them.  

One very cold winter day, as they talked, the Man put his fingers to his mouth and blew on them. When the Satyr asked the reason for this, he told him that he did it to warm his hands because they were so cold.  

Later on in the day they sat down to eat, and the food prepared was very hot. The Man raised one of the dishes a little towards his mouth and blew in it.  When the Satyr again inquired the reason, he said that he did it to cool the food, which was too hot. 

"I can no longer consider you as a friend," said the Satyr, "a fellow who with the same breath blows hot and cold."  

Moral Lesson

A man who talks for both sides is not to be trusted by either. 

THE TAKEAWAY

Though Ngunjiri may not be guilty of betraying Ruto as he argues, the Enquirer and anybody else, just like the Satyr with its honest simplicity, will find it hard to be reconciled to the MPs double dealing. 

In, the moral sense of the fable above, nothing can be more offensive to someone of a sincere heart, than he that blows with a different breath from the same mouth; who flatters a man to his face, and reviles him behind his back like Ngunjiri appeared to do to Ruto on Thursday.

Ngunjiri, just like the man in the story, is the kind that in seeking to serve a present perception, will blow nothing but what is warm, benevolent and cherishing; and when they have raised the expectations of a dependent (see Ruto) to a degree which they think may prove troublesome, can, with putting on a cold air, easily chill and blast all his blooming hopes. 

Such traits, whether coming from a designed or natural levity, are detestable and many brave wise men have fallen victims before. Unless a man’s actions remain true and consistent with what they say, they don’t stand to be trusted and counted in anything. In other words, a man who can’t walk the talk, is best ignored and avoided like plague.

… And that is our Weekly Enquirer for this week. See you next Saturday.