Didmus: Why I quit military for national politics

Why did you quit the military, a job that is the envy of many?

The military gave me discipline, courage and the ability to plan before acting. Those are qualities that still define me today. While I was serving in the Kenya Air Force, I developed a deep interest in politics.

During the bitter leadership wrangles that rocked Ford Kenya after the death of former Vice President Michael Wamalwa Kijana, I found myself quietly working behind the scenes. I would attend meetings organised by rival factions, carefully observe what was happening, take notes and relay that information to leaders allied to Wamalwa’s political camp.

At first, it was simply out of interest. I wanted to understand how politics worked beyond what people saw in public rallies. The more I interacted with political leaders, the more I realised politics is about strategy, planning and understanding people. That experience planted the seed that made me believe one day I would leave the military and join elective politics.

How would that experience later help you?

It taught me that information is power. One of the incidents I remember involved the leadership contest within Ford Kenya after Wamalwa’s death. I attended one of the meetings where rival groups were pushing for changes in the party leadership. I documented everything that happened and passed the information to leaders on the other side.

It is actually my notes that saved Musikari Kombo from ouster because lawyers later relied on the information to challenge the resolutions that had been passed. Whether people believe it or not, that experience showed me that politics is won not only through speeches but also through preparation and strategy.

Many people who have served in Disciplined Forces don’t like politics. Why is that?

That may be true. But my journey has been different because I have worked in different sectors. Before joining the military, I trained in electrical engineering. While in the Air Force, I worked as an avionics technician, maintaining military aircraft, a job that required precision because mistakes could cost lives.

After leaving the military, I briefly worked with the Teachers Service Commission before moving to Australia where I furthered my studies in electrical engineering. I later returned to Kenya and joined Bolloré Africa Logistics as the officer in charge of Quality, Health, Safety and Environment.

Those experiences exposed me to different systems of leadership and management. They convinced me that government should be run with the same efficiency and accountability expected in the private sector.

You’ve expressed interest in the Bungoma governor’s seat. Are you worth the salt?

I believe leadership should be judged by results  rather than promises. Before I even sought elective office, I had already started community projects between 2014 and 2016. Those initiatives earned me the confidence of the people and gave me leverage to defeat the incumbent in 2017.

I won the Kimilili parliamentary seat on a Jubilee Party ticket and successfully defended it in 2022 under UDA. During my tenure, I have prioritised transforming schools, improving infrastructure and expanding access to government services. That record gives me confidence that I can deliver even more as governor.

What is your educational background?

Many people do not know that while serving as an MP, I went back to school. I completed a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, followed by a Master’s degree and eventually a PhD in the same field.

I wanted to understand governance beyond politics. Education has strengthened my understanding of public policy and administration. That is why I always say I joined politics to influence policies that improve people’s lives. Government exists to solve public problems, not to create headlines.

You’ve boldly declared yourself the political kingmaker in Bungoma. Does that influence extend to the rest of Western Kenya?

I have said before that I believe I am already the kingmaker in Bungoma because the people have given me that responsibility. Whether that influence extends beyond Bungoma is for the people of Western Kenya to decide.

Right now, my focus is Bungoma. If we succeed in transforming this county, then people from the rest of the region will judge our model of leadership. Leadership cannot be imposed; it is earned through performance.

You were about to quit UDA for Ford Kenya. What changed?

Politics is about timing and calculation, especially when you are seeking a position as competitive as governor. After supporting the Ford Kenya candidate in the Bungoma Senate by-election, I developed a close working relationship with leaders in the party and indicated that I could contest on its ticket.

However, the political environment changed when several Ford Kenya MPs publicly endorsed Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi as their preferred candidate for governor. I realised the support I expected within the party was no longer guaranteed. I had not formally joined Ford Kenya. I had only expressed interest in using its ticket. I therefore decided to remain in UDA and pursue my ambition there.

Where has Bungoma failed?

Agriculture remains the backbone of Bungoma’s economy, yet many maize farmers continue to lose because they sell immediately after harvest at very low prices.

The county should fully utilise the Warehouse Receipt System so that farmers can store their produce, receive warehouse receipts and sell when prices improve. That would protect them from exploitative middlemen while improving household incomes and food security.

Some people see you as an outspoken populist. Is this perception real?

I am both a populist and policy-driven. If talking about the everyday struggles of ordinary people makes me a populist, then I have no problem with that.

People are not interested in expensive projects that only look good in newspapers. They want hospitals with medicine, classrooms where children can learn, roads they can use throughout the year and markets that support their businesses. Those are the issues I speak about because they are the issues people experience every day.

You are joining a race that has attracted some of Bungoma’s biggest political names. Why are you so determined to become the next governor?

The governorship is not the end goal. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that leadership anchored on planning, accountability and service delivery can transform lives. If I succeed in Bungoma, then the country will judge me by my record, not by my rhetoric.

I want to build a county where development starts in the villages, where every health facility works, every child learns in a dignified environment, every road is passable and every farmer feels the county government is working for them.