Uhuru party in dilemma as Central MPs ditch Kuria in Gatundu South contest

Gatundu SouthTNA candidate Moses Kuria(kneeling down)is being prayed for by a pastor in Gatundu town on Saturday during a thanksgiving service to thank the area residents of electing him during the recently held TNA party primaries.

Kiambu, Kenya: The National Alliance (TNA) candidate in the Gatundu South by-election seems to be facing resistance from some of his former allies and local MPs who now appear to have abandoned him at the eleventh hour.

Moses Kuria, who won the controversial party primaries to clinch the TNA ticket, had been expected to easily sail through and clinch the seat as a representative of the President’s political party, but several MPs from Kiambu have baulked at openly endorsing the vocal politician.

With the by-elections that was prompted by the death of former MP Joseph Ngugi just days away on August 7, the MPs have said Gatundu voters should be allowed to elect a leader of their choice without undue influence.

Speaking at Karinga Girls School during a fundsdrive presided over by Deputy President William Ruto last week, MPs Mburu Kahangara (Lari), Njoroge Baiya (Githunguri), Kigo Njenga (Gatundu North), Humphrey Njuguna (Gatanga) and Njogu Barua (Gichugu), who are all allied to TNA except for the Gatanga lawmaker, declined to endorse Kuria. The lawmakers said it was wrong for politicians to interfere in the by-elections by campaigning for a particular candidate, and insisted that residents should be given the democratic space to decide.

No intimidation

“The people of Gatundu must be allowed to make their choice without being influenced or intimidated. The voice and the will of the people should always prevail,” said Njuguna.

Prior to their remarks, Juja MP Francis Waititu and former Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu were met with a hostile reception when they tried to root for Kuria’s election.

The politicians were booed as the crowd shouted pro-Kamere slogans when they attempted to plead with voters to elect Kuria so that TNA could retain its numerical strength in Parliament. A day before, Kuria had clashed with Kahangara at Kiganjo Stadium during the launch of Kiambu County Uwezo Fund Sensitisation Programme presided over by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru.

The Lari lawmaker had told the gathering to avoid electing a leader with no vision. “As an outsider, it is not my business to tell you who to elect. However, I urge you to be extra careful. I call upon you to make an informed choice,” Kahangara said. That, however, did not go down well with Kuria who expected the MP to endorse him and call upon residents to vote for him by virtue of being a TNA man. When Kuria got his turn to address the gathering, he tore into the Lari MP for not endorsing his candidature.

“The problem we have in TNA is lack of cooperation and unity. How can you tell people to make an informed choice instead of telling them to vote for me as the TNA candidate? You should have told the people to support me,” Kuria said.

Kuria said he is looking forward to making it to Parliament in two weeks. Kuria’s candidature has split TNA MPs in the Kiambu County. The MPs opposed to his candidature support lawyer Kiarie Kamere who is vying on a New Democrats party ticket. One Kiambu MP, who declined to be named, said most local MPs were opposed to Kuria’s candidature because they view him as an overbearing activist who does not respect them.

All the 13 Kiambu County MPs except Limuru lawmaker Peter Kiragu skipped a fundraiser held at Windsor Golf Club on Monday to raise money for Kuria’s campaign. Kiambu Governor William Kabogo and Senator Kimani Wamatangi were also absent, with only the governor sending his contribution.

The lawmakers stand on the Gatundu South mini-polls has come as a setback for Kuria who had hoped they would automatically support him. Kuria is, however, optimistic he will surmount the challenges .

“I am sure Gatundu South residents are wise people and I’m confident they will make a wise decision that will not embarrass the President,” Kuria said.

Pundits, however, say Kuria should be worried about the lack of support from local TNA MPs and some MCAs. They say he should move fast to mend fences with the leaders before its too late. “Kuria must move with speed to woo MPs who are opposed to his candidature. He should find out why they do not support him and iron out the issues,” said James Mwangi, a political analyst.

Opinion split

Support on on the ground for Kuria and Kamere appears to be divided, but most residents say they should be allowed to elect a leader of their choice. “It’s the residents who have the votes. They will decide on August 7,” said Nancy Waitherero, a potential voter. During his tour of Gatundu, Ruto urged residents not to embarrass Jubilee.

“I know it is your democratic right and duty to elect a leader of your choice. However, I am requesting you to vote for Moses (Kuria) come August 7. We need to have a person like him in Parliament who will courageously engage with the Opposition so that the President and I can get time to work for Kenyans,” Ruto said.

Kamere has, however, maintained he will not bow to pressure to quit the race. He has so far got the backing of several local lobby groups, including the the Kikuyu Council of Elders, Gatundu branch, and the Gatundu South Mau Mau war veterans’ chapter.

Kuria has the support of Maendeleo ya Wanawake and other women groups from the area. He, however, received a major setback last week when a local tycoon George Kaimburi who had been instrumental in funding and campaigning for him during and after the party primaries announced he had decamped to the Kamere bandwagon due to what he termed irreconcilable differences with the TNA candidate.

In a bid to retain the seat, TNA party is making frantic efforts to the rescue Kuria. The party leadership in Kiambu has warned all MPs and MCAs who were elected on the party ticket in the area to support the party candidate or risk facing disciplinary actions.

Mr William Josiah, the Kiambu County TNA chairman, has pleaded with area MPs and MCAs who don’t support Kuria not to endorse anyone else.

“We have already written to the party headquarters seeking advice on any possible legal actions against legislators who do not support the party candidate,” Josiah said