Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has dared his political detractors, declaring he is ready to walk away from power without looking back if the 2027 polls go south.

John Mbadi is not trembling. In a political landscape where Cabinet positions are treated as matters of life and death, the Treasury Cabinet Secretary has issued a stunningly casual dismissal of his own job security. Addressing the swirling uncertainty regarding the 2027 General Election, the former ODM chairman declared to Kenyans that he will "not struggle to survive" should the current administration be voted out.

The Accountant’s Confidence

This was not a slip of the tongue; it was a calculated flex. Mbadi, a seasoned accountant and veteran of the Suba South parliamentary seat, is signaling that his livelihood is not tethered to the taxpayer's payroll. "I have a life outside this office," he seems to be saying, effectively immunizing himself against the threat of political oblivion. It is a rare posture in Kenyan politics, where leaders often cling to power with desperate ferocity.

His comments come at a time of heightened economic anxiety, with his docket at the Treasury being the lightning rod for public anger over taxes and debt. By projecting personal financial independence, Mbadi is attempting to detach his personal fate from the collective fate of the government.

• The Political Subtext: Is Mbadi hedging his bets? His statement can be read as a subtle distancing from the "do or die" mentality of the ruling coalition. He is reminding both allies and foes that he is a professional first, and a politician second.
• The Public Reaction: For the ordinary Kenyan struggling to put food on the table, Mbadi’s confidence may sting. It highlights the vast disconnect between the political elite, who have soft landings, and the voters who bear the brunt of their policies.

2027 and Beyond

Mbadi’s declaration sets a defiant tone for the upcoming election cycle. He is telling the electorate that he serves at their pleasure, but not at their mercy. Whether this bravado will shield him from the voters' wrath remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: John Mbadi has packed his parachute, and he is not afraid to jump.

The message to his critics is blunt: You can take the job, but you cannot take the man. Mbadi is ready for the exit, even before the show has truly begun.