Mudavadi party now loses allure in Central region

By Francis Ngige

At its inception, the United Democratic Forum (UDF) was touted as the party of choice for the Mt Kenya region.

Talks were rife the party was formed by powerful people in Government following the waning popularity of the Party of National Unity.

In its infancy, the party made inroads in the populous region, with many residents thinking it would be their party of choice ahead of the March General Election.

Among its first members were youthful MPs, who were seen to present generational change.

They included Kabando wa Kabando, Nderitu Mureithi, Jeremiah Kioni, Abdikadir Mohammed, George Nyamweya and others.

With one of President Kibaki’s aide associated with the party, with his niece Mureithi (the Laikipia West MP), it was thought UDF was the party to watch.

The party was also linked to a number of politicians from Nyeri County, including political activist Mary Wambui. Wambui has, however, distanced herself from the party.

Kibaki backyard

It appeared the party had made a grand entry into central Kenya, including Kibaki’s Nyeri backyard.

But with Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta disregarding the party and instead forming The National Alliance (TNA), most of the schemers in UDF seem to have been thrown off balance.

With Uhuru disregarding UDF, it was a safe haven for his colleague Musalia Mudavadi whose entry into the party was enthusiastically received in the Mt Kenya region.

Mudavadi, often accompanied by local politicians, traversed the region, to warm welcome.

He assured the locals he was inviting Uhuru for talks so that they could work to win the elections.

“I have heard what you have told me. I’m going to look for Uhuru to tell him what the people want since that is the only way we can win,” that was always Mudavadi’s message.

But with TNA’s entry into the fray, UDF’s popularity has waned, with some key politicians ditching the party in favour of Uhuru’s choice. There are also claims the party faces serious financial challenges after the main financier backed off.

UDF’s dismal performance in the recent by-election in Kangema despite initially showing signs of putting up a fight has highlighted the dwindling fortunes of the party.

First to jump ship was Kabando despite being among the founders of UDF.

While ditching the party for Uhuru’s TNA, Kabando said UDF was “limping, staggering, stammering, and it has become an ethnic trumpet”.

“I have severed links with UDF. It has no grassroots support and I’m moving to TNA,” said Kabando.

Also quick to disassociate herself from the party was Wambui, who said she belonged to TNA and has never been in UDF.

“I’m surprised when people say I’m in UDF. I have never stated I’m in that party. I belong to TNA,” said the businesswoman.

According to an insider in the party, Wambui has all along been linked to the party because her personal assistant, Abraham Limo, is the UDF secretary general.

“I think because of Limo’s position, many people thought Wambui was supporting the party, but that is not the case,” said a source close to the businesswoman.

UDF has, however, dismissed the notion its popularity has waned in the region. Party official Peter Karanja, who is among the three founder members, said party activities in the region would resume once its presidential aspirant returns from a trip abroad.

“There is no dispute that Uhuru is the favourite candidate for people of central Kenya, but UDF is still strong as we are targeting the ordinary people,” said Karanja.

Karanja said UDF was not involved in any fights with TNA or Uhuru since it considers it as a like-minded party, with which it should work together.

The official said: “You can see from what happened in the Kangema by-election. UDF emerged second and this was after Uhuru’s personal intervention handed the seat to TNA.”

Jumped ship

He claimed that Kabando had jumped ship for the sake retaining his Mukurweini parliamentary seat after realising the local support Uhuru enjoys.

“I am sure many politicians who want to retain their seats or seek new ones want to align themselves with Uhuru so that they can win,” said Karanja.

Karanja, Muslima Dida, and Naisiae Karia are the founder members of UDF, which initially was a forum to address issues affecting the youth before it was transformed into a political party. Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni said the party was not afraid of the TNA wave in central Kenya.

He predicted that during nominations, all aspirants would troop to the party. “Someone like Kabando is not a leader to be relied on. We were aware of his stand from the initial stages,” said Kioni.

According to a source within the party, before the forum was transformed into a political party and given its provisional certificate, those who were listed, as its consultants were President Kibaki’s aide, Nick Wanjohi, and university lecturer Macharia Munene.

Wanjohi was largely linked to UDF, but he has denied having any links to any political party.