Uhuru faces challenge in Central as third force emerges

A few days ago, police dispersed another meeting, dubbed Limuru IIB, and which appeared to have been organised to counter deliberations of the first conference.

The meeting was led by among others, Mr Njenga, presidential aspirant and Safina Party leader Paul Muite, and retired Archbishop Reverend David Gitari.

Njenga was at the Limuru II meeting, but there was a scuffle after one of the conveners, Gema leader Bishop Imathiu, denied him a chance to address the participants.

Njenga was also instrumental in organising the second meeting (Limuru IIB), which failed after police engaged participants in running battles.

The involvement of the police in battling participants attracted hue and cry from a section of leaders – also from the region– among them Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua.

On Tuesday, Karua, while addressing supporters in Eastleigh in Nairobi, termed the action unfair, and called on the Government to uphold the rule of the law.

"We are all citizens and we deserve to be treated equally. The Government is discriminating against its citizens by allowing one group to hold a meeting in Limuru, but banning the other," she said.

Karua is also on the list of leaders from central Kenya who have declared interest in succeeding President Kibaki. During the meeting with women leaders, Karua insisted she was fit to take over leadership, and urged women to contest for various political positions.

In addition, there is the political party headache for Uhuru after he ditched Kanu for a yet-to-be identified party. The Alliance Party of Kenya (formerly PNU Alliance) that has been wooing him picked its registration certificate yesterday.

Other parties who want Uhuru on their presidential ticket include GNU and the Democratic Party.

PNU Alliance officially changed its name to Alliance Party of Kenya amid talk Uhuru Kenyatta would seek the presidency on its ticket.

Tribal groupings