A look at the most viral phrases, quotes and quips attributed to the two term former Bumula constituency member of parliament and former Lands assistant minister. Omwami Wakoli Bifwoli once said…..
There are leaders who when they speak, their words are forgotten as soon as they utter another. Then there are others who I believe have what we mean when we talk of charisma as a leadership quality. These ones are devils with words. When they speak, we carry their words with us – into our bedrooms, by the counter at the bar, down the street, to the market, in the barber shops and salons; heck, we even tell our kids to tell their kids about them.
Then there are others, who go one step further and find themselves immortalized in pop culture as passive participants in comedy, rap lyrics and memes. It is in this hallowed group of a few, that we find the former Member of Parliament for Bumula, Hon. Sylvester Wakoli Bifwoli.
I had the privilege of being alive at a time when Hon. Sylvester Wakoli Bifwoli was the member of parliament representing Bumula constituency. This guy comes simple. He would walk around alone without body guards and drive himself about. It was not uncommon to chance upon him at your favorite eatery in Bungoma town or elsewhere within the county.
There can only be one Wakoli Bifwoli
When it comes to political rhetoric, the guy has an inborn gift of speech. He speaks in short short sentences whose pungency is something to marvel at. Moreover, omwami Wakoli is able to interpret very complex national issues and communicate them directly with village folks; in a way that stays true to their ways.
Watching him from a distance, it appeared like he knew almost everybody by their name, face and roots. Talk of the common touch that politicians crave for, Wakoli has it naturally in abundance.
To date, he has resisted the ways that power can change a man, successfully.
That said, mweshimiwa remains most known for seamless incorporation of humor in his public speeches. He successfully uses our ability to laugh at ourselves as tool for speaking for (or as) the common man.
Going by the hangover suffered by political satire shows on TV and his finding his way into Kenyan rap lyrics, there remains a big Wakoli Bifwoli shaped hole in Kenyan politics. His style is one hard to replicate: realspeak and realpolitik grounded in the proud culture of mulembe delivered in his Bukusu influenced Swahili or English that’s often delicately peppered with situational humor. Today, we chronicle a few statements attributed to the man that made their way into everyday Kenyan speak and pop culture.
On politics
Wakoli Bifwoli\’s life in politics proper begun in 1988. For the next 14 years he represented teachers in union politics serving first as vice-chair, then as chair (1989 to 1996) and finally as executive secretary (1996 to 2002) of KNUT Bungoma.
Named Sylvester, the boy from Musakasa in Siboti ward of Bungoma county was first elected on a Ford Kenya ticket to parliament in 2002. There, he served the people of Bumula for two straight terms that came to an end in 2013 when he lost to Boniface Otsyula of Jubilee Party.
Omwami Wakoli currently serves as an advisor to the second governor of Bungoma county Hon. Wycliffe Wangamati. As far as I know, Hon. Wakoli remains active politically. Obviously, there\’s a lot omwami said regarding politics as this is his bread and butter, but there are a few notorious phrases that captured the imagination of Kenyans morphing into pop dogma or engraving themselves into national psyche. So, here we go. Wakoli Bifwoli once said……
Tukutane kwa tepe
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
Let\’s meet at the ballot.
Context: For all intents, this is ‘gloves off’ political rhetoric warning his political detractors not to underestimate his popularity. If we were to cut him some slack, it could be an indication of mweshimiwa’s belief in democracy and the sanctity of the ballot.
Fact check: True.
Awori is a tikitator
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
Hon. Moody Awori, then the Vice President of the Republic of Kenya, is a dictator.
Context: Omwami Moody Awori the ninth vice president of the republic of Kenya had been tasked with building the ruling NARC coalition’s consensus on Kenya\’s nominees to the East African regional parliament, EALA. The star reports:
“The yelling had nothing personal against Awori. I was merely doing my job in the best way I could do in the circumstances,” Wakoli, then Bumula MP, reminisces.
He (Wakoli) was the Ford-Kenya chief whip at the time.
The party had settled on Gervase Akhaabi as its nominee who was, however, omitted from the final list. Awori, summoned a meeting of the coalition’s leadership to explain the list.
“He walked in, read the names and when Ford-Kenya demanded an explanation, he ignored us and walked out on me. That is when I started yelling,” Wakoli says
Fact check: True. Indeed, our chronicle of the coup culture of the ‘Kutalangi Party’ Ford Kenya revealed that behind the comedy derived from the manner of this utterance, Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli then the Ford Kenya chief whip communicated to the nation the intense political cat fights within government. In particular, the battle for Ford Kenya to claw back some clout after the untimely death of its leader, the 8th Vice President of Kenya Omwami Micheal Kijana Wamalwa.
Sisi wanasiasa ni kama masietani
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
We politicians are like devils.
Context: We can’t find the exact situation or moment, but this must have been said in the context of back stabbing within politics. Or the self interest of politicians that often regulates the interests of their constituents last.
Fact check: True. Here is the actual quote: Unajua sisi wabunge na shetani ni kitu kimoja. Tunafanya nyinyi wananchi mpigane lakini tukirudi huko bunge tunakula pamoja. Sasa kati yetu na nyinyi nani ako na kichwa mbaya?
Sisi tuko kwa sirikali
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
We are in government. Note the clever word play here.
Context: Hon. Wakoli’s second term in parliament found him on the PNU side of the government of national unity that was formed following the post poll chaos of 2007. He served as an assistant minister for lands in that government.
Fact check: True.
Remove my name from your mouth
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
Quit the rumor mongering and mudslinging.
Context: Just your everyday sparing between politicians.
Fact check: Maybe.
On social justice and development priorities
Though Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli directly descends from the infamous Bukusu freedom fighter Wakoli Okhwa Mukisu and founding father of Bukusu politics, the founding father of Kimilili town, omwami Pascari Nabwana, those who know him speak of a man who grew up humble.
His rise to becoming a primary school teacher is the stuff of legend. It took the charity of the Catholic church to educate him. If you ask him, the church did more than feed his mind. They nourished and clothed him too. It comes at no surprise then that his politics revolves around emancipation through education and giving a voice to the lowly.
Parapara
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying:
Barabara, meaning road, in his now familiar Bukusu accent.
Context: See next series of quotes.
Fact check: True.
This quote by Hon. Wakoli is remembered in various forms, all which speak to the heart of the matter – the poor state of public facilities and how leaders insulate themselves from the reality of things in effect relegating their people to second class citizens.
- Hao wanatumia ndege sisi wengine parapara.
- Hakuna mwanasiasa kutembea kwa ndege, na mwanainchi anatumia parapara.
- Mimi nikiwa rais, mawasiri hawatapanda ndeke. Mawasiri watatumia parapara.
Kwani Bumula iko Ukanda ama Kenya?
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying:
Is Bumula in Uganda or Kenya?
Context: There\’s a Bumula in Eastern Uganda. I think the pun is intended here. On a nuanced cultural level, Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli is well aware of the cultural ties between his constituents in Bumula Kenya and Eastern Uganda tribes. As such, he cleverly plays on these blood, familial and cultural ties to talk to his constituency in a language only him and them can understand. With one stroke, he also champions his constituents\’ interests by reminding the state of its duty to its citizens. To date, families remain separated by the international border. For instance, it is not uncommon for relatives from both sides of the border to attend each others ceremonies like khuboa chinyinja and traditional circumcision.
Fact check: True. Here is the actual quote: \”Bumula haina lami. Bumula haina maji. Bumula haina stima. Je, Bumula iko Kenya au iko Uganda?\”
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli quotes on ambition
Sometime in 2011 thereabouts, Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli announced his interest for the big seat – the presidency. In a candid, bare it all feature story with a local television station, omwami Wakoli defines his bid as one for and by the common man. Moreover, he described himself as a political Utopian out to divorce politics form big money. A decade on, given how big money has captured the state and our politics, we can only wonder what if. What if Wakoli had found his way to sit on the throne atop the hill?
Here are some quotes attributed to the former Agricultural Development Corporation Chairman said during his campaign for the presidency.
Kama Martha Karua anasimama urais naina mimi
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
The play here is in the use of the Bukusu word \’naina\’ instead of the Swahili equivalent \’na\’. Aside from this obvious pun, If indeed he said this, Hon. Wakoli wittingly lays bare realities about Kenyan politics. In a way he compares his ambitions for the Presidency to that of former Gichugu MP and former Justice and Constitutional Affairs ministers Martha Karua.
If Martha Karua can dream, why not Wakoli Bifwoli? Is it because they were rank outsiders? And if they are indeed outsiders, what makes them outsiders? Is it (particular to Hon. Martha Karua) their gender? Their tribe? Or is it that they are not well-heeled (at least not as monied) as the regular contenders?
Prestendi
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
This is Bukusu-nization of the English word President. Chances are this is just further example of the many ways Kenyans choose to honor the man through caricaturization of his character, mannerisms and truisms.
The man you under rate can easily be your mother’s boyfriend.
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
This is a variation of the Bukusu proverb: Wakhaleka rarao, nikho khakonia mao. Even if you despise your father, he is the one who sleeps with your mother! Like his contemporary Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Hon. Wakoli is gifted with garb especially in Lubukusu. His speech is often littered with Bukusu sayings and proverbs to great effect. Now whether this fact makes this quote attributable to him is another matter altogether.
A man without ambition is like a woman without beauty.
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
A self explanatory phrase. Did Hon. Wakoli say this? Maybe. If anything convinces me that he did it must be because I have heard his speeches in Bukusu and the man is quite the wisecrack, witty and with a sharp sense of humor. Therefore, such a quip wouldn\’t be totally out of character.
Si hata Akaranga anatosha?
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
This quote attributed to Hon. Wakoli is often taken two ways. There are those who took the former Lands assistant minister as having shot himself in the foot, by endorsing the then mooted candidature of the then Sabatia MP and later first Vihiga Governor Hon. Akaranga.
Then there are those who take it that Hon. Wakoli was clearing his way for a shot at the big seat, by propping a competitor to his competitor Hon. Musalia Mudavadi. This group also urges that Hon. Wakoli in his own way was opening Luhya people\’s eyes to the fragmentation of the community\’s vote in national politics. Possibly mweshimiwa was also urging the community to cast their nets wide in their search for political direction.
Hon Wakoli Bifwoli on culture and society
Once on the path to presithood, Wakoli Bifwoli remains a staunch practicing Catholic. To date, his philanthropy activities in large part involve supporting the building of churches and other church activities.
Moreover, his eminence as a Bukusu elder is not one to be wished away. As evident in his masters thesis titled \”The Secular Sacred Conflict in the Bukusu Catholics Attitude Towards the Use of Assisted Reproductive Technologies in Bungoma Diocese Kenya\”, his is a delicate balancing act between these seemingly opposing worldviews.
Mimi ni mkatolika
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
I am Catholic.
Context: Having grown up in luck, the Catholic church gave the young Sylvester a life. Together with his wife, Margaret Wakoli, omwami Wakoli has spent time, energy and material wealth to build the Catholic church in Bungoma and beyond. As the following television clip reveals, this work for the Lord has no end for mweshimiwa, in power or not.
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vb_LIBtzAxw[/embedyt]Hata musiponipikia kura, mtoto wala mchukuu hatawai choma makaa.
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
Context: Political propaganda leveled against him.
Fact check: False
Wateso wa Ukanda wanakunywa pusaa firi pila kusumbuliwa na polisi.
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
Context: Busaa is a traditional beer that\’s central to the way of life of Mbukusu and indeed most of the communities of the Lake Basin, North Rift and Mount Elgon Region. It\’s criminalization continues to marginalize indigenous groups from these parts of Kenya. Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli\’s work in safeguarding Bukusu culture is a hallmark of his leadership in pubic life.
Fact check: True. Indeed during campaigns angling for the nation\’s presidency, Hon. Wakoli promised to decriminalize busaa and support the growth of the traditional cottage brewing industry; recognizing the enterprise as a tool for both cultural and economic empowerment.
Wakati wa shangazi
Hon. Wakoli Bifwoli
What he’s saying
Wakati wa kiangazi – During the dry season. This one, a reliable source informs us that he former Assistant Minister still suffers this slip of the tongue ever so often. There\’s nothing to it just Sylvester Wakoli Bifwoli being Sylvester Wakoli Bifwoli.