More often than not, politicians choose loyal and trustworthy individuals to serve as their personal assistants to run their errands.
Through political connections and mentorship, some of these PAs have risen to powerful leadership positions in this country.
Here is a list of political heavyweights who started their political career as personal assistants;
1. Rigathi Gachagua
The Mathira MP served as the PA to President Uhuru Kenyatta in the run to the 2002 General Election.
Prior to his appointment, Rigathi served as the District Officer (DO) in various parts of the country. He later became an aide to his late brother, Nderitu Gachagua who served as Mathira MP and later as the first Governor for Nyeri.
In 2013, his brother was elected as governor and he assumed the Mathira seat. After the 2017 General Election, Rigathi became a fierce critic of Uhuru after the fallout between Uhuru and Deputy President William Ruto.
The former PA has become a close ally of Ruto and is considered to be the front runner for the running mate position. Apart from his experiences in politics, the legislator has made wealth for himself through his Ridor Group of Companies.
2. George Natembeya
The immediate former Rift Valley Commissioner served as a PA for the late Internal Security Minister John Michuki.
During an interview on Citizen TV, on January 26, Natembeya credited his leadership skills to the mentorship he got from the former minister who was known as a no-nonsense administrator.
“If there is an almost perfect civil servant then it was Michuki. An old man who was very wise and very firm. The honorable Michuki remains my true note, my point of reference as far delivery of service to the people is concerned," he stated.
In early January, Natembeya tendered his resignation as the Rift Valley Commissioner and stated that he would contest for the Trans Nzoia gubernatorial seat in the August polls.
3. Sospeter Ojamoong
Little known to many, outgoing Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong served as the PA of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
During a past interview, the two-term governor revealed that he was the PA of Raila during his early years in politics adding that there was no salary for them at the time. He added that they were happy to serve the ODM boss with no pay because of his selfless leadership.
"I did not earn a salary as Raila’s PA! We were friends and don’t forget he was also struggling. We were just a group of volunteers who shared the little that was available. There was no salary, bwana. Where was the money to pay people?" he queried.
Ojamoong first made entry to the political scene in 2007 after he was elected as an MP for Amagoro constituency. In 2013, he became the first Governor for Busia County and has served in the position for two consecutive terms.
4. Caroli Omondi
Just like Ojamoong, Omondi served as PA for the ODM boss. His loyalty was rewarded in 2008 after he was appointed as the Chief of Staff in the office of the Prime Minister during the Grand Coalition government.
Omondi remained a close confidant of Raila and ventured into politics in 2017 when he contested for the Suba South Parliamentary seat which is currently held by ODM chairman John Mbadi.
The long-time ally of Raila fell out with the ODM leader during the run to the 2017 General Election after he claimed that the party primaries had been rigged in favour of Mbadi.
5. William Chepkut
The Ainabkoi MP famous for his funny contributions in the National Assembly served for a long time as a PA for the late Nicholas Biwott.
Chepkut revealed that he was appointed as Biwott's PA after he broke a TV screen following accusations that Biwott participated in the assassination of former Foreign Affairs Minister Robert Ouko.
“Since then, I won his heart up to the last day when he passed on. As a true and patriot Servant, I was faithful to him. I would tell him the truth always and every time," Chepkut stated.
