By MOSES NJAGIH
Political parties’ supremacy battles in central Kenya have presented Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta with a fresh challenge.
Squabbles between leaders from Alliance Party of Kenya ( APK) and The National Alliance (TNA), reached fever pitch early this week as Uhuru was preparing to visit Meru.
And now the DPM has to contain the in-house battle before taking command of the vote-rich region.
Politicians from the region say Uhuru must know how to navigate through the challenge presented by leaders from the warring groups, who are united under his candidature but largely divided on party loyalties.
Leaders allied to other political parties in the region, notably APK, the Grand National Unity (GNU) and DP, have openly protested the manner in which those allied to TNA are treating other outfits with contempt and perceived lack of respect, which they warned could hurt Uhuru’s candidature.
It was this view that led leaders from these parties to announce plans of a coalition, which was considered in many quarters as a revolt against TNA.
Announcing their coalition plans, the leaders said they were ready to incorporate TNA but only if the party agrees to work on the principle of mutual respect for other outfits.
Largest rift
But it was the happenings that preceded Uhuru’s visit of the Mt Kenya East region, incorporating the larger Embu and greater Meru that have opened the largest rift, with members of APK and TNA engaging in name-calling, which threatened to overshadow the visit.
APK leader and Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi appeared to stir the hornets’ nest when he urged Uhuru to involve other political parties, notably his APK, in planning the visit, if he wanted it to be successful in solidifying the region’s vote.
