Mt Kenya governors snub regional senators' bid to consolidate power in readiness for 2017 poll

When local leaders met to consolidate the voting bloc in the three Mt Kenya East counties of Embu, Tharaka-Nithi and Meru last Sunday, it was expected all regional political luminaries would be on board.

However, the conspicuous absence of key governors in the meeting could be a pointer to underlying political tensions in the region, especially because it was at this meeting that the “Nkubu declaration” announced the region’s political direction.

It was not lost on observers that the governors have been at loggerheads with politicians reportedly planning to challenge them for the governorship in 2017.

The two-day summit at Nkubu Heritage Hotel attended by three senators, 19 MPs and 90 MCAs among other elected leaders came up with several resolutions. Among these was a resolution to unite all leaders and dissolve smaller political parties to join Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) ahead of the next elections. 

The meeting led by Senators Lenny Kivuti (Embu), Kithure Kindiki (Tharaka-Nithi) and Kiraitu Murungi (Meru) also agreed to embark on a voter registration drive mostly targeting the youth.

“Embu, Tharaka-Nithi and Meru counties have some 1.1 million votes. Our aim is to up this number to 1.8 million potential votes by 2017 and to 2.9 million votes by 2022,” said Mr Kivuti when he addressed the press.

But the Nkubu declaration is bound to face opposition from other leaders and aspirants concerned that the JAP ticket may already have been ‘reserved’ for some contestants.

Personal interests

The absence of governors Martin Wambora (Embu), Peter Munya (Meru) and Samuel Ragwa (Tharaka-Nithi) was telling. Although there were reports the three leaders had sent representatives since they were held up in engagements elsewhere, observers read more into their absence.

Mr Wambora, who maintained he was firmly in TNA, said he had been engaged in a development project in his county and would focus on similar initiatives rather than party matters in future.

But his ally, former Embu County Secretary Margaret Lorna Kariuki, was categorical that the caucus does not reflect the interests of people in counties, and was a tool by some leaders to promote their political interests.

“How come there was no single governor in the meeting? A good number of MCAs and other leaders from each of the three counties snubbed the forum. We are for a JAP that advocates interests of the common mwananchi,” she said.

There are indications that if the leaders have their way and adopt JAP as the party of choice, they would favour Wambora’s opponent Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire for Embu gubernatorial seat.

Kiraitu once sparked a political storm in Embu County when he endorsed Ms Mbarire for the seat, a move criticised by  Wambora’s supporters.

The undercurrents are being felt further afield and there are indications that Kiraitu may want to go for the Meru governorship at the expense of incumbent Munya as some MPs have already endorsed him to vie.

The two leaders were both elected on an Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) ticket. Explaining his absence at the Nkubu meeting, Governor Munya said he had been caught up in other engagements.

“I received a message regarding the meeting, but I had to attend a fundraiser in Tana River County. The event had been planned for some time, so I was not going to miss it,” Munya  said.

“I was also officially closing Kitui County’s Investors Conference.” However, Munya added a rider: “But even if I had had the time, I would not have attended the meeting. It was convened by the Mount Kenya Parliamentary Group. I am not an MP, so how could I attend it?” he posed.

Wide consultations

Governor Ragwa rejected calls to have smaller parties dissolved and said this would promote the political interest of a select group of leaders. The governor, who was elected on TNA ticket, said leaders should not impose a political party on the electorate without first consulting them.

“Leaders should consult constituents about the party they want to join depending on its manifesto. As a politician I cannot dictate the direction voters will take. Tharaka-Nithi people will decide which party I will use in 2017 at the appropriate time,” said Ragwa.

Speaking at Kiereni PCEA church during a thanksgiving service, the governor took issue with the Jubilee administration and complained that it had disregarded the people of Tharaka-Nithi during public appointments even though the region had overwhelmingly supported the coalition in the last elections. Ragwa said Nkubu meeting should have dwelt on this particular issue.

The Nkubu meeting was unequivocal that any politician uncomfortable with JAP should “try their luck elsewhere.”

“We have impeccable and indefensible strategies to sweep the region. We are not intimidating any person who doesn’t want to join JAP, but we will ensure the region is under one political command,” Prof Kindiki said.

Kiraitu agreed and said as APK leader he was ready to alight from the bus and lead his troops to join JAP.  He described the declaration as a turning point in the history of the region.