How General Nkaissery Thwarted ODM’s Plot to Form Parallel Government

Details have emerged on how the late Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery lived by the mantra of once a general, always a general.

Those who know the retired Major General of the Kenya Army say that he conducted himself with the discipline and diligence like that of a military man. He stood strong against what he considered wrong, even if it meant going against his bosses.

Former Narok South MP Nkoidila ole Lankas has revealed how the General saved Kenya from the jaws of political instability following the contested 2007/08 presidential elections election which plunged the country to violence.

Nkoidila disclosed one of the best kept secrets on how the former Kajiado Central MP (Nkaissery) thwarted an attempt by his party Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to form a parallel “government” in the wake of the disputed 2007 elections.

Lankas said that the fallen hero blocked ODM’s leadership’s plans to take over the mantle of leadership from former President Mwai Kibaki by forming a parallel government as they wrestled Party of National Unity (PNU) after the disputed polls.

“All elected MPs were rounded up and forced to converge in the old chambers of Parliament. Then Secretary General Anyang’ Nyong’o asked them to sign some form that would have seen ODM form a parallel government,” disclosed Lankas.

“But Nkaissery stood up and differed with Nyong’o. He told him what he was trying to do was nonsense. He was not going to append his signature on the document.”

“We refused to sign the form. It is apparent that he saved the day even though no one has ever talked about that episode,” the former MP recounted.