Nairobi News

NewsWhat's Hot

Eight things to know about George Aladwa

By HILARY KIMUYU October 23rd, 2015 2 min read

Former Nairobi Mayor George Aladwa Omwera, who describes himself as a well-groomed politician, has been in the game for quite some time.

But is this politician who has been roundly criticized for his recent inflammatory utterances really well-groomed? Here are eight things you need to know about the man:

1. Last Nairobi Mayor – Aladwa was elected the Mayor of Nairobi on 10 August 2011 on an ODM ticket having served in an acting capacity following the stepping down of his predecessor, Geoffrey Majiwa, over a corruption case involving the sale of cemetery land.

Aladwa was the last mayor to be elected by the City Council. The mayoral position has since been replaced by the gubernatorial seat in the devolved system of government after the promulgation of a new constitution in 2010.

2. Arrests – His arrest over alleged offensive utterances isn’t the first time he has found himself on the wrong side of the law for incitement.

In June 2013 Aladwa was arrested for allegedly claiming that former Prime Minister and Cord leader Raila Odinga would be sworn into office as President on July 7.

Again in June 2014 he was arrested over his statement at a Cord rally where he threatened to swear in Mr Odinga as Kenya’s President if the government failed to heed Cord’s calls for national dialogue.

3. Party politics – He is the chairman of ODM’s Nairobi County branch.

4. Football politics – He was the Secretary General of AFC Leopards Football Club between 2013 and 2014

5. Family background – He was born in Makogeni estate where his father used to work for the now defunct Kenya Railways.

6. Political ambition – During the 2013 General Election he ran against TNA’s Benson Kangara for the Makadara Constituency seat. He lost to Kangara and unsuccessfully petitioned the outcome of the election.

7. Schooling – His educational background is unclear, but it is believed that he attended adult education and later sat the KCSE.

8. Controversy – In July 2014, he was appointed to head the County Liquor Licensing Board, weeks after he was dropped from a similar position at Nairobi Water in unclear circumstances.

Nairobi Governor Dr Evans Kidero made the appointment through a gazette notice in July, which saw Aladwa sit at the helm of a 10-man board that regulates the production, distribution and sale of alcohol in the city. The governor later dropped Mr Aladwa when he unveiled the utility firm’s board.

Aladwa was accused of falsely acquiring Sh10 million from a certain Mr Devani for the sale of four parcels of land in the city. The suit is still pending in court.