Former journalist and ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale has shared a detailed personal account of his interactions with the late former senator and Cabinet minister Mutula Kilonzo, offering insight into the veteran politician’s leadership style, discipline, and approach to grassroots politics.
In a post on X, Etale described Kilonzo as a prominent lawyer whose name frequently featured in national news during the era of former president Daniel arap Moi.
He said his admiration for Kilonzo deepened after joining the media industry, where he observed the late minister’s work ethic, strictness, and ability to connect with people across social levels.
Etale recalled a pivotal encounter in 2006 when Kilonzo, then a serving legislator, summoned him for a meeting at his office.
According to Etale, the meeting was brief but precise, reflecting Kilonzo’s respect for time and order.
During the meeting, Kilonzo made an unexpected request: that Etale serve as chief guest at a women’s fundraiser in Utangwa, his home area.
Kilonzo reportedly explained that the law barred sitting MPs from directly presiding over harambees, prompting him to delegate the role to Etale, who was then a 26-year-old television reporter at Royal Media Services’ Citizen TV.
Kilonzo would attend the event as an ordinary participant while Etale formally led the fundraiser.
Etale said Kilonzo later entrusted him with KSh200,000 to contribute at the event, a gesture he described as a sign of deep trust.
The experience, he noted, marked his first time addressing a public gathering outside journalism.
The recollection paints Kilonzo as a strategic yet grounded leader who understood legal boundaries, valued mentorship, and maintained close ties with his constituents.
Mutula Kilonzo died in 2013 while serving as Makueni senator, leaving behind a legacy that continues to shape Kenyan politics.