By Fuad Abdirahman
Nyali MP Mohamed Ali is a perfect example of what politics does to a “rational” man.
A celebrated investigative journalist who never shied away from criticising the government of the day, Moha Jicho Pevu, as he was popularly known, had branded himself as straight-shooting, fearless and uncompromisable.
He brought his audiences investigative pieces at great risk to his life, at one time fleeing the country after refusing a Sh1 million bribe to kill one on the drug trade.
He used his considerable following on social media to call out corrupt politicians; his list included Deputy President William Ruto, whom he tore into pieces in the public opinion court, for perceived graft and mismanagement. In a scathing letter addressed to Ruto once, he opened thus: “Hujambo Bwana Kusema na Kutenda, naomba safari hii, kabla hujatenda, nikujulishe mawili hivi. Najua huna raha, hupati usingizi na unahofia maisha yako licha ya utajiri ulionao…”
One thing was clear: Moha despised the DP.
When he sought elective office, he campaigned on the forum of change and “being different.” But all changed once he was elected, it wasn’t easy he says, “my decision to attend his rally as MP for Nyali was a difficult one to make, but I chose to attend it, and give the office of the President its due respect.” He wrote this in a statement for appearing a Jubilee rally in Kongwea market in Nyali.
But Moha new politician is a different man. His one-time object of despise is now his idol and, arguably, mentor. Moha, in what some see as betrayal, has promised to support Ruto bid for the presidency in 2022. Once arguing he owes nobody an explanation for the decisions he makes, the MP later issued a statement to clarify: “The DP pledged to support my agenda of service to the people. I equally promised him my unequivocal support in backing the Government’s Big Four Agenda and his efforts to bring forth a united Kenya.”
On his part, he maintains that he is still on the people’s side, even producing a hurriedly put-together documentary to support his claim. But many are not buying it. It is the Parliament effect, they say. (
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