Kiraitu kicks off another strategy to unify Central

By Moses Njagih

With few months to the General Election, the Mt Kenya bloc vote appears largely fragmented, even as a section of local leaders tries to whip up the electorate for an elusive cause.

After the local leaders failed to consolidate the region’s electorate under one political party, they are now engaged in efforts to work out a coalition among local parties to rally behind their candidate.

But with time against their efforts, they are warning the region should brave itself for the opposition benches if they fail to agree on a common approach.

With the leaders of dominant parties in the region inclined towards Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, the leaders are seeking a formula that can see their outfits speak in one voice.

Time factor

Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi is warning politicians that time is quickly running out, saying their failure to find a compromise soon would as well send the region into the opposition.

The minister said strategy talks are at an advanced stage between leaders of his Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), Uhuru’s The National Alliance (TNA), Grand National Unity (GNU), and Democratic Party (DP) on the formation of a coalition for the region.

“If our talks do not realise concrete outcomes in terms of unifying the bloc, then we are doomed. The window is only two months and if that does not happen, then I see defeat staring at us in the face. Everybody will be running helter skelter in their own cocoons,” warned Kiraitu.

Mt Kenya MPs forum chairman Ephraim Maina has also warned: “Apart from winning the elections, we also need to ensure that our candidate gets the numbers to ensure that he can push his policies through,” said Maina.

The 2007 debacle

The Mathira MP said it would be suicidal for parties in central Kenya to face the elections divided, as this could result in a similar debacle witnessed in the last elections.

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