Alfie Mutua still roams the streets on Nairobi as the Govt spokesman, ABK!!!!

Many people watching Isaack speak may feel sympathy for him on the mistaken belief that he stammers. I’ve watched this man keenly over the past three years and can confirm that what sounds like natural stutter is actually due to logical incoherence, confusion and uncertainty. Those who can’t think clearly can’t also speak coherently.

As a lawyer, Isaack’s record is patchy. He isn’t a good courtroom lawyer, nor is he a good drafter or negotiator. In fact, Isaack isn’t quick on his feet. He floundered badly when the ‘red brigade’ invaded the Bomas of Kenya where the IIEC was releasing results for the referendum. He couldn’t stand his ground. He couldn’t explain the minor computer glitches. He couldn’t rebut the unfounded rumours that the ‘green campaign’ was doctoring results. If he couldn’t handle such a simple electoral exercise, he certainly can’t manage presidential, gubernatorial, parliamentary and civic elections with a ten metre-long ballot paper.

Two weeks ago, Isaac addressed a press conference and announced that he had ‘recalled’ a letter the IIEC had sent to the Minister for Local Government ratifying ODM’s request to de-gazette 34 nominated councillors for non-compliance with the party’s policies. Not only was Isaac’s ‘decision’ unilateral; it wasn’t an IIEC decision. It was also difficult to understand how he could ‘recall’ a letter orally at a press conference.

But the most intriguing part of Isaac’s press conference was the ‘reason’ he gave for the reversal. First, he argued that if ODM wants to de-gazette councillors for disloyalty, it should start with the ‘big fish’ within the party. True to form, he didn’t offer any logical or legal basis for saying so. He stated that unless ODM moved against William Ruto and company first, he will not allow it to de-gazette the councillors. Again, there wasn’t any foundation for that, either.

Isaack is partisan. He has always been. That’s typical of status-quo elements. They rely on patronage to survive. Nearly one year ago, ODM petitioned the Registrar of Political Parties – which is operating under him - to have a number of ODM rebel MPs removed from its register as having resigned from the party. To date, the registrar hasn’t acted on that petition. The law grants ODM, like any other party, power to take action against disloyal members. The law doesn’t give Isaack power to supervise, vet or grant permission to parties when making that decision.

Isaack’s declaration that ODM must go against the ‘big fish’ first exposes his bias and rusty legal reasoning. Coming soon after Isaack’s childhood friend Aden Duale’s press conference ‘condemning’ ODM for the action, many knew that Isaac had been recruited into the factional war within ODM.