Crunch time in Central as Uhuru set to pick party

By MOSES NJAGIH

The next few days will be crucial for Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as he cobbles up a political outfit on whose ticket he will push his presidential bid following his exit from Kanu.

Uhuru, who faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court, has kept his supporters guessing since he suggested at a Gema meeting on March 23, that he would dump the Independence party.

Prior to his declaration at the Limuru meeting, Uhuru was under intense pressure from his central Kenya supporters, who were pushing him to quit the former ruling party. The Deputy Prime Minister had inherited Kanu headship from former President Moi.

It therefore came as relief, albeit a belated one, when Uhuru called on his supporters to give him a month to "consult widely" before declaring his party of choice.

It is this statement, coupled with what seemed to be his reluctance to ensure that Kanu met the requirements of the Political Parties Act to avoid deregistration, that prompted his critics in the cockerel party to consider ousting him as party chairman. With the one-month that Uhuru asked that he be granted at Limuru coming to lapse this week, his supporters will be eagerly waiting to know his party.

It is expected Uhuru’s announcement will alter the political situation in Mt Kenya region, where many leaders have admitted they were waiting for his announcement before making any move.

Though the region is home to 28 political parties, all of which are now seeking compliance with the Political Parties Act, their survival could be diminished by Uhuru’s declaration.

Many politicians are angling to associate with Uhuru’s party, a fact that Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi alluded to at the Limuru meeting when he pushed the Gatundu South MP to declare his party.

Unfolding events

"Many of these people are just waiting to hear the political direction you take. Once you have identified the party, some of these briefcase outfits will fold up and throw their weight behind you," said the minister.

Kiraitu, who has been championing the cause for his PNU Alliance outfit and strengthening its presence around Mt Kenya, has been lobbying to have Uhuru join the party.

Uhuru’s spokesperson Munyori Buku said the Gatundu South MP would declare his party "in the fullness of time" to end speculation.

No time frame

"One thing is key that the DPM will announce the party. He will go for an outfit that will work with other like-minded parties," said Buku, even as he remained guarded on details of the timeframe for the announcement or particulars of the outfit.

Buku dismissed claims Uhuru was ousted from Kanu, saying the former chairman had given indications he was not interested in the party.

He said Uhuru’s disinterest in leading the former ruling party came after other officials placed roadblocks to ensure the members’ recruitment did not take off.

"Out of his own volition, Uhuru opted out of Kanu leadership. That is why two days to the meeting that was held to pick other officials, he declared he was not going to defend any seat or even attend the meeting. That means he voluntarily gave them his blessings to proceed with running the party, that is not ousting him," said Buku.

Nairobi Metropolitan Minister Jamleck Kamau sees a situation where once Uhuru declares his party; he would need to engage leaders from other outfits from the region who support his ambition to hammer out a formidable political pact.

"There would be need to hold structured talks among the many parties that have indicated they support Uhuru to make sure that we all speak in one voice. We cannot afford to field separate candidates in the next elections on these different parties as this way we will lose," said Kamau.

The minister, who is Uhuru’s ally, said Central had painfully learnt from the last election where it went to the poll through different political parties, eventually losing numbers in Parliament.

"This time, Uhuru will be the unifying factor. Once he declares his party, we will have to sit down and chart out how we will bring together all these outfits that support his candidature," said the Kigumo MP.

Limuru declaration

But even as the Gatundu South MP pushes with his agenda, he will have to contend with local leaders who have openly spoken against his candidature, especially after the Limuru II "declaration" for his support.

It is this group that planned the aborted meeting dubbed Limuru IIB, which was supposed to counter the "declaration".

Notable forces behind the perceived anti-Uhuru campaign are former Kabete MP Paul Muite, Central Imenti MP, Gitobu Imanyara, and retired Anglican Archbishop David Gitari.

Only this week, Gitobu brought a new twist to the political contest when he claimed in Parliament that a gang supporting Uhuru had assaulted him, with death threats for opposing the Gatundu South MP’s candidature.