How Poghisio could make or break 'KKK' alliance

Business

By Stephen Makabila

As the 2012 General Election beckons, Information Minister Samuel Losuron Poghisio may play a significant role.

Political pundits say he may help sustain or break the nascent Kikuyu, Kalenjin and Kamba (KKK) alliance.

The Kacheliba MP is the only minister who expressed support to suspended Higher Education Minister William Ruto.

Mr Poghisio is the ODM-Kenya chairman, a party whose leader is Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka.

Ruto on the other hand, is the ODM deputy party leader, although there is speculation he may lead his troops out of the Orange party.

Ruto, Kalonzo and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta are the perceived leaders of the ‘KKK’ alliance, but Poghisio may be the much-needed link between Ruto and Kalonzo.

Political analyst and a lecturer at United States International University (USIU), Prof Munene Macharia, feels Poghisio’s closeness to Ruto is politically strategic.

"Poghisio knows Ruto has cultivated a huge following in the Rift Valley and as a politician, he cannot abandon him. He has to be closer to a popular leader as he cultivates his political image and future," says Macharia.

He adds: "Having stood by Ruto, who is facing court battles and other political challenges, Poghisio shows he is reliable."

Round one

And Moi University law lecturer Titus Bittok says Poghisio will play an important political role in any alliance Ruto may decide to join, ‘KKK" included.

"What may make those behind the ‘KKK’ alliance stick together is their mutual interest in locking out Prime Minister Raila Odinga from the presidency in 2012. For Rift Valley it will be who takes care of its interests," Mr Bittok says.

He adds: "Only a strong alliance will beat the PM with a strong alliance in round one. He may encourage many leaders to contest because he knows he stands to win the run-off."

Political Scientist at the University of Nairobi, Adams Oloo believes Poghisio is the main link between Ruto and Kalonzo and would therefore be key in reviving the ‘KKK’ alliance.

"By virtue of Poghisio being the national chairman of a Kalonzo-led party and a close confidant of Ruto in the Rift Valley, he is the main link between ODK-Kenya and Ruto ahead of the 2012 polls," says Dr Oloo.

Ruto and his Rift Valley allies have indicated they will leave ODM any time soon and may even form a new party.

During the referendum campaigns, Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo, a Kalonzo political enemy, was Ruto’s key pointman in Ukambani.

However, in mid August, Ruto hinted at the revival of the ‘KKK’ alliance, while on a tour of Ukambani, where he addressed two political rallies in Mwala and Machakos Town constituencies.

The Eldoret North MP accompanied by Poghisio and four other MPs led a funds drive in aid of Miu African Inland Church in Mwala.

Poghisio let the cat out of the bag by claiming Kalonzo was working with Ruto to revive the relationship between the two communities, which started during President Moi’s regime and former Ukambani political maestro the late Mulu Mutisya.

Personal ambitions

To drive his point home, Ruto donated Sh400,000 and a further Sh100,000, which he claimed was from Kalonzo and Uhuru.

The leaders also praised the performance of the ‘No’ team at the referendum in Ukambani.

"Kalonzo is very much with us and he appreciates what we are doing," said Poghisio.

Ruto and Poghisio were joined by Gender Minister Naomi Shaban as the only members of the Cabinet to campaign against the new Constitution.

Although Kalonzo insisted he was in the ‘Yes’ camp, Ruto and his allies repeatedly said the VP was on their side.

Political analysts have in the past dismissed the ‘KKK’ alliance as an outfit that cannot stick together due to personal power ambitions.

"The problem with ‘KKK’ is that the leading lights might never agree on who becomes the torch-bearer in 2012 unlike in ODM where everyone knows Prime Minister Raila Odinga is the candidate and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi his running mate," says Oloo.

He says Internal Security Minister George Saitoti may also be a factor in the ‘KKK’ alliance, because he is the PNU chairman, which Uhuru and Kalonzo look upon for some support.

Last month, Kalonzo met with delegations from various regions to consolidate his 2007 gains and penetrate new grounds by linking with grassroots leaders.

He started by meeting civic leaders from Ukambani, then a delegation from Mt Elgon led by former MP Wilberfoce Kisiero, and later met Kisii DP leaders.

And addressing a two-day workshop for ODM-Kenya women leaders last month, the VP disclosed plans to open party offices in all the 47 counties in preparation for 2012.

Reaching out

Poghisio also addressed the women leaders. This week, Kalonzo met with six MPs from Meru, in what would be interpreted to be a scheme to endear himself to many regions.

The VP met the MPs at a Nairobi hotel where sources said he discussed development matters concerning the region.

"We are leaders and there is nothing wrong with the VP reaching out to us for support in succeeding President Kibaki in 2012," said Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki.

Assistant Ministers Peter Munya, Kilemi Mwiria, and MPs Alex Mweru, Nthoitha M’Mithiaru and Mithika Linturi attended the meeting.

Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi and MP Silas Muriungi reportedly sent apologies.

Kalonzo’s allies would also fancy some reward for helping President Kibaki form a Government in early 2008, when the President did not have the numbers after the disputed presidential election results.

And the new Constitution requires a presidential candidate to cultivate a national outlook, and must garner 25 per cent of votes in half of the 47 counties.

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