By Job Weru
A series of events in recent weeks indicate the emergence of what could be a third political force in central Kenya to challenge Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.
Despite Uhuru having been anointed as the de facto presidential choice of the region, there is growing political unrest by a group of youth and mainstream politicians.
The youth appear to be congregating around the message that central Kenya cannot be trapped Safina Party leader Paul Muite and youth against tribal groupings argue with police officers after they were barred from holding a meeting in Limuru. [Photo: Collins Kweyu /Standard]
in ethnic and political silos and must allow competition for the top seat.
The first challenge to Uhuruâs perceived dominance cropped up at the infamous Limuru II conference, where a near-scuffle occurred after former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga was barred from addressing participants.
Members of the Gikuyu, Embu and Meru (Gema) communities, who endorsed Uhuru for the top seat, attended the meeting that ignited wild condemnation from sections of the communities, especially Meru and Embu.
So far, Meru leaders led by MPs, Gitobu Imanyara, Kilemi Mwiria, Mithika Linturi, and the latest entrant, Mburi Muiru, and Ntoitha Mithiaru have distanced themselves from the Limuru II Gema declaration.
They also accused their Imenti South counterpart, Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, of pushing the Meru into political deals.
Selfish gains
Barely a day after the initial conference, Imanyara and his team trashed deliberations reached at the initial conference and accused Murungi and Bishop Lawi Imathiu of selling out their community for selfish gains.
He said the declaration reached at the meeting undermined democracy and violated the Constitution.
