In Othaya, being a Kibaki ally is political weakness

By Moses Njagih

In the race for the Othaya parliamentary race ahead of the 2013 General Election, being close to incumbent Mwai Kibaki is proving to be an unexpected obstacle.

The President’s allies eyeing his seat are in a dilemma as they try to position themselves to fill the vacuum after the Head of State retires.

Although pretenders to the throne desperately want to endear themselves to the electorate in readiness for the elections in March next year, they dare not campaign openly for fear of appearing disrespectful to the Head of State.

Campaigning openly would be interpreted as akin to a son staking claim to his father’s estate before his death, which is frowned upon by traditions.

Resentment from voters

The aspirants, many of who have been performing delegated duties on behalf of the President, are at a loss on how to spearhead their campaigns without appearing to be laying claim to the seat that constitutionally remains Kibaki’s until after the next elections.

Some might have hoped that President Kibaki would back them in the succession race, but are getting disappointed that this might not happen given that campaigns in the area have intensified and ‘independent candidates’ appear  to be getting a head-start in the succession race.

Some have to counter growing accusations of under-performance in their delegated duties, which has placed them at a disadvantage vis-a-vis other aspirants.

“Many of these henchmen are facing resentment from the electorate, who view them as having under-performed the tasks delegated to them by President Kibaki in Othaya, as he largely concentrated on national issues,” says Nairobi-based lawyer, Gichuki King’ara, who is eyeing the Othaya seat.

“While Kibaki has performed exceptionally well especially in the road network and electricity, the people he entrusted with the responsibility of other sectors such as development of tea, coffee and dairy industries have let him down, yet some harbour ambitions of succeeding him,” he adds.

Inner circle

While some loyalists have trained their sights on succeeding President Kibaki, their campaigns have largely remained low-key, with many fearing they might be viewed by the President as engaging in early campaigns while he is still area MP.

Othaya Development Authority (ODA) chairman Gichuki Mugambi, a close ally of the president, admits that his candidature, like that of other loyalists, is at a disadvantage as he cannot use his official position to campaign.

“It does not look right to engage in campaigns especially when you are a messenger performing delegated duties. It places my candidature at a disadvantage,” admits Mr Mugambi, who says he is banking on his performance at ODA to convince the electorate about his capabilities.

Other members of Kibaki’s inner circle eyeing the position include Esau Kioni, whose campaign has also been restricted by the fact that he has been serving as a director with the Tea Board of Kenya and also that of the Kenya Power Company.

Mr Kioni, who contested the Mathioya seat in the last election before shifting base to Othaya, had not yet resigned by the time of going to press.

Political activist Mary Wambui is also said to be eyeing the position, although, just like others, she has not openly declared her interest in the seat that has been occupied by President Kibaki for decades.

Sources close to the businesswoman told The County Weekly she was still keen on the seat although she is biding her time and has not openly started campaigning.

Another aspirant who has declared his interest in the seat, Emilio Kibue, a Nairobi-based contractor has been participating in church and youth forums on weekends.

Among the things he has promised Othaya constituents is establishment of an Information Communication Technology (ICT) centre that would target youth and schools.

Party head ache

“Having the president as your MP is an advantage. We want to continue from what President Kibaki has done. His shoes are very big but we will try to fit in them,” Mr Kibue said.

He added: “We still respect the President as our MP and we know he is still in office. As residents of Othaya we want to ensure that what the President has done for us does not go to waste.”

Mr King’ara, who is Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s point man in Othaya under The National Alliance (TNA) banner, says many of the aspirants were expecting endorsement from Kibaki but have now been forced to venture out on their own.

Mr Mugambi dismissed those claiming that he had failed in the duties delegated by Kibaki, insisting that much of the constituency’s development has been achieved during the time he has been ODA chairman.

“Even if you take a blind person to Othaya now, he would feel the difference. We have been on the ground and we are proud of what we have achieved,” says Mr Mugambi, countering accusations that he has made the authority a one-man show.

Another political dilemma for President Kibaki’s henchmen is the choice of political party on which to contest the polls.

The president appeared to give a stern message that he may not brook opposition to PNU, the party on which he rode to State House in the last election, when he engaged in last minute campaigns for the party’s civic candidate against an onslaught from the Grand National Union (GNU).

An aspirant who did not wish to be quoted on this issue admitted that the choice of party was tricky for them.

“PNU, which is Mzee’s party, has lost ground after the last elections to other parties such as Uhuru’s TNA and GNU but it presents a dilemma since we do not want to appear like we are not keen on strengthening his party by embracing other entities,” said the aspirant.

Mr Kibue, a Nairobi-based contractor has been making inroads in the constituency by participating in church and youth fora during weekends.