Kenneth, Uhuru take fight to Rift Valley

By Vitalis Kimutai

The political battles between National Planning and Development Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth and Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta have taken a new direction as Kenneth wades into Rift Valley politics.

The Gatanga MP has lately toured parts of Rift Valley Province for fundraising meetings and has been hosted by, among others, Roads Minister Franklin Bett, MPs Julius Kones (Konoin), Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany) and Gideon Konchella (Transmara).

Kenneth is said to enjoy a close political relationship with a section of Rift Valley and Nyanza MPs.

Observers say Uhuru, who has been working closely with Eldoret North MP Wiliam Ruto lately, has failed to consolidate his hold in Rift Valley and even in Kanu. The job of popularising the party has largely been left to vice-chairman Gideon Moi.

A source says Prime Minister Raila Odinga group has exploited the differences between Uhuru and Kenneth to seek a foothold in the vote-rich province ahead of the 2012 General Election.

Last month, Kenneth accompanied Raila for tree planting at Kiptunga in the Mau complex. Uhuru and other Cabinet ministers from the Rift Valley did not attend.

Another source claims the Gatanga MP is being used by prominent politicians keen on clipping the Finance minister’s political wings.

"A wealthy Assistant minister and MP from Eastern Province are the main ones bankrolling Kenneth in a wider scheme to tame Uhuru in his presidential bid," states the source.

At a fundraiser at Mogogosiek trading centre in Konoin constituency, Kenneth said he was ready to work with leaders from Rift Valley to improve the living conditions of residents. "There is need for youth to step up the fight against tribalism, pursue equity, embrace nationalism and shun alcoholism," he said.

Development issues

Kones, who hosted the event, invited the Assistant minister to join hands with local leaders in development issues.

Since joining PNU, Uhuru has been accused by a section of Kanu officials from Rift Valley of sabotaging efforts to revitalise the independence party. Gideon, the immediate former Baringo Central MP and one of the four vice-chairpersons of Kanu, has held a series of rallies and fundraisings to revitalise the former ruling party ahead of its 50 years celebrations in June, next year.

Among those who have been working closely with Gideon are fellow vice-chairman Marsden Madoka, Secretary General Nick Salat, National Executive Council member Bafadhil Abdulrahaman, former Cabinet Minister Paul Sang and former MPs Joseph Kimkung and Mark Too.

Kenneth’s rising star has seen ODM bigwigs attempt to court him.

During last year’s Tononoka rally in Mombasa, Prime Minister Raila Odinga publicly announced Kenneth was expected to join them. But Kenneth quickly clarified he did not intend to decamp to ODM.

Observers say the rivalry between Kenneth and Uhuru emanates from the fact that the Finance minister supports the Gatanga MP’s rival — former MP David Murathe.

Murathe is also the Finance minister’s aide.

"Kenneth believes Uhuru is using Murathe to fight him at the constituency level and that has caused a major rift between the politicians and polarised supporters in Central Province," a source privy to the goings-on told The Standard on Sunday.

The former MP is keen on recapturing the seat, which has eluded him in the last two elections, from Kenneth.

The Gatanga MP is on record having said there is nothing wrong with Central Province having alternative leadership.