"Njonjo and Gitari have already declared the side they are in on the Kibaki succession. We will wait for the results of the General Election rather than engage them in a debate about irrelevancies," said a close aide of Uhuru speaking on a customary condition of anonymity.
Undemocratic demands
The Uhuru aide specifically accused Njonjo of forming a habit of attacking President Kibakiâs Government over their historical differences.
Mathira MP Ephraim Maina who chairs the Central Kenya Parliamentary Group also criticised the two for introducing "undemocratic" tribal demands on likely presidential candidates.
"Nobody should be entertaining such talk," said the Mathira MP.
"If they go that route we risk denying our country the best presidential candidates and setting a dangerous precedent where every tribe will start demanding their chance to produce the president."
Gitari and Njonjo had criticised the anointment of presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta as the preferred candidate of the Gikuyu, Embu and Meru Association (Gema) during a meeting at the Limuru Conference Centre meeting last month saying there was no way the blessings of a "few leaders could be equated to the support of the whole community."
Tribal groups
Both Njonjo and Gitari said groups such as Gema and Kamatusa did not have a place in the present political reality in the country and warned that they were a recipe for chaos and tribal animosity.
"Kenya is one country and must trudge on as one," said Njonjo.
"We (Kikuyus) must also accept that there are other sometimes more educated and qualified people for Presidency from outside the community."
But the Uhuru aide retorted: "What Kenyans must always remind themselves is that Njonjo was one of the most powerful persons in this country. What did he achieve to warrant the regular attacks he makes on Kibaki and how many votes can he and Gitari bring to the political side they are supporting?"
