Former Vihiga Deputy Governor Caleb Amaswache has opened up about his dramatic transition from the corridors of power to selling firewood on the streets of Luanda town.
Amaswache, who served under Governor Moses Akaranga from 2013 to 2017, was once the second most powerful man in Vihiga County. He moved with a convoy of chase cars and bodyguards, rubbing shoulders with key political figures and enjoying the privileges of high office. However, the glamour vanished following his defeat in the 2017 general elections, when Dr. Wilberforce Ottichilo of ODM unseated Akaranga.
Today, Amaswache earns a modest Sh300 on a good day from his firewood business, a sharp contrast to his former lifestyle. “I do not have enough capital,” he says. “People want to sell me logs, but I do not have the money. The little I earn, I use to pay school fees. My daughter is about to join university, and I need Sh200,000 for her to start.”
The former deputy governor expressed disappointment in friends who once flocked around him in office but have since disappeared. “They no longer pick my calls. When you’re in power, everyone praises you even if it’s not genuine. When you’re out, that’s when you see people’s true colours,” he reflected.
Amaswache’s experience serves as a sobering reminder of the fleeting nature of political power and the importance of humility. He cautioned current leaders against arrogance and urged them to respect those who served before them.
“I don’t see how, as a former deputy governor, I can just be walking on foot. The county government should at least give me a vehicle,” he added, hinting at the lack of support for former leaders.
His story resonates with many former public servants who struggle post-tenure, highlighting the need for policies that ensure their welfare and reintegration into ordinary life. Amaswache’s resilience amid hardship is both a cautionary tale and a testament to the unpredictable nature of life after politics.
