Central parties supremacy battles hurting Uhuru’s presidential bid

 

By MOSES NJAGIH

Political parties’ supremacy battles in central Kenya have presented Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta with a fresh challenge.

Squabbles between leaders from Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) and The National Alliance (TNA), reached fever pitch early this week as Uhuru was preparing to visit Meru.

And now the DPM has to contain the in-house battle before taking command of the vote-rich region.

Politicians from the region say Uhuru must know how to navigate through the challenge presented by leaders from the warring groups, who are united under his candidature but largely divided on party loyalties.

Leaders allied to other political parties in the region, notably APK, the Grand National Unity (GNU) and DP, have openly protested the manner in which those allied to TNA are treating other outfits with contempt and perceived lack of respect, which they warned could hurt Uhuru’s candidature.

It was this view that led leaders from these parties to announce plans of a coalition, which was considered in many quarters as a revolt against TNA.

Announcing their coalition plans, the leaders said they were ready to incorporate TNA but only if the party agrees to work on the principle of mutual respect for other outfits.

Largest rift

But it was the happenings that preceded Uhuru’s visit of the Mt Kenya East region, incorporating the larger Embu and greater Meru that have opened the largest rift, with members of APK and TNA engaging in name-calling, which threatened to overshadow the visit.

APK leader and Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi appeared to stir the hornets’ nest when he urged Uhuru to involve other political parties, notably his APK, in planning the visit, if he wanted it to be successful in solidifying the region’s vote.

But MPs allied to TNA, including assistant ministers Kareke Mbiuki, Cecily Mbarire and Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi hit out at Mr Kiraitu, claiming he was afraid that APK would lose support when Uhuru launches TNA in Meru and Embu. Assistant minister Mwangi Kiunjuri, who is also the GNU leader warned that the squabbles are being championed and exaggerated by opportunists keen to ride on Uhuru’s popularity to win their respective seats.

He said this was likely to derail the common agenda of ensuring that the DPM has solid support from his backyard as he seeks the presidency. “This is the time we should be preaching unity, we are supposed to be thinking of how we can work together towards our common goal on a platform of mutual respect because we are all aware of the consequences of not uniting,” said Mr Kiunjuri.

The Laikipia East MP castigated certain politicians in TNA who he accused of lacking respect for other parties and constantly attacking their leaders. “We know these people who are shouting the loudest without seeking the opinion of others are neither speaking for Uhuru nor TNA, they are only masqueraders and the earlier they realise they are drilling a hole in a boat they are also travelling in, the better,” he said.

The assistant minister said it is that the DPM is advocating for a coalition of all parties that support his candidature, a mission he said is now being frustrated by few people in his party.

“The logic is very simple, it is either we play the ball together as a united team or we perish together and wait to warm the opposition benches. The danger is that we have less than three months to put our house in order,” said the GNU leader. Tigania East MP Peter Munya says it is upon Uhuru to know how to navigate through the challenges of the differences in political parties or risk losing a section of the larger bloc.

“The danger is if he will be seen to lean towards one group, supporters of the other camp may consider otherwise, which could hurt his bid,” said the assistant minister.