Just years after exiting the corridors of power, former
Vihiga Deputy Governor Caleb Amaswache turned to a firewood vendor for
survival.
In less than a decade, Amaswache has experienced a decline
in status and prestige, falling from a high place of honour and riches.
Amaswache served under the first governor of Vihiga County, Moses Akaranga, but now sells firewood in Luanda town for a living.
From 203 to 2017, he was the second most powerful man in
Vihiga, and he would move around with bodyguards and chase cars.
Fast-forward to 2025, Amaswache makes around Sh300 on a good
day from his firewood business.
“I do not have enough capital. There are people who want to
sell me logs, but I do not have the money. The money I get, I split it, and pay
school fees. I have a daughter set to join university, and I need Sh200,000 for
a start. She has to go there,” the former Deputy Governor said in an interview
with Citizen TV.
It was all rosy until 2017 when a new administration was
elected to office.
Dr. Wilberforce Ottichilo of ODM defeated Akaranga and
Amaswache, who contested on a PPK ticket in the August 2017 elections.
Amaswache laments that friends he mingled with while in office
no longer pick up his calls.
“When you're in power, everything looks flashy, everything
looks good, and everybody respects you, and though they might not be genuine,
they will still tell you a lot of good things,” he explained.
“But when you are out of power, that is when you will know
the true colours of people who were around you."
He advised leaders in power not to be arrogant and also to respect
others who have been in office.
“I do not see how, as a former deputy governor, I can just be
walking on foot, the county government of Vihiga should give me a vehicle.”
