GRAND MATCH

Eugene Wamalwa has declared his interest to run for the presidency and claims he has President Kibaki’s blessings. He claims Kibaki and his late brother, Kijana Wamalwa, made a pact in which he promised to support the former Vice President in his bid for presidency after serving only one term. That was not to be as Kibaki’s Jimmy will be in attendance, and his Simama Kenya organisation has apparently endorsed Eugene in what is hailed as the drive for a generational change (see separate story P. 20 ).

The lawyer-turned politician, who has all along kept mum amid endorsements from a host of political leaders, including a member of President Kibaki’s family, says 2012 is payback time for President Kibaki and his main supporters from central Kenya.

"The President was a close friend of my late brother (Wamalwa Kijana) and shared a political agreement with him over his retirement. That will happen in 2012 and it is time Ford-Kenya took its turn on the top job," he told The Standard on Sunday in an exclusive interview.

After months of speculation linking him to the First Family’s probable succession plot, the Saboti MP finally broke the silence to detail his political plans.

In a candid interview, he discloses what he thinks of President Kibaki’s children and the unfinished political business between the Odingas and the Wamalwas dating back to 1994.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) claim by the younger Wamalwa is one that has severally and separately been confirmed by current Ford-Kenya leader, Musikari Kombo and Narc party leader and Water Minister Charity Ngilu.

In the run up to the 2002 elections, Wamalwa teamed up with Ngilu and Kibaki in a series of breakfast meetings that led to the formation of NAK. The "Big Three", as they were often called, agreed on a power-sharing deal with Democratic Party’s Kibaki as President, Ford-Kenya’s Wamalwa as Vice President and Narc’s Ngilu as Prime Minister.

"I personally participated in the negotiations where it was agreed Kibaki would serve for one term as President and then support Wamalwa for the top seat," recalls Kombo.

But that was never to be as Wamalwa passed on only eight months into the Narc Government’s administration, in which he served as Vice-President. In the absence of Wamalwa, the President launched another bid for a second term.

And as if in remembrance of the pledge, Jimmy Kibaki has declared support for Eugene, an aspirant for Ford-Kenya’s chairmanship, as Kibaki successor.

Wamalwa said Kikuyu and Luhya elders are in consultations and are expected to bless his candidature during the Bungoma meeting.

"Jimmy and I will officially launch the Grand March to State House at the end of this month," he said.

Eugene, who has kind words for Jimmy’s gesture, says he is "very privileged" to be endorsed by the President’s son. He also wishes Kenyans would recognise the fact that Jimmy is "a genuine Kenyan who is passionate about this country".

But news of Eugene’s connection with Jimmy and the Simama Kenya group has been opposed by some leaders.

Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale says the first-term MP is struggling to discover himself politically.

"He has within some months sought political links with four different groups. His political experiments are of no benefit to Western Province," says Khalwale.

And Lands Assistant Minister and Eugene’s’s rival for the chairmanship of Ford-Kenya, Mr Wakoli Bifwoli, warns him against entering into political alliances with "strangers".

Says he: "You make alliances with tested politicians who have won elections and not someone riding on his father’s name."

But Jimmy argues that as a Kenyan, he too has the freedom to identify and associate with political leaders of his choice. He has denied charting the President’s succession plan, arguing that he is acting independently.

"Simama Kenya is a forum that wants to give Kenyans fresh leadership devoid of tribal and regional political divides," he explains.

Separately, Eugene admits there was unfinished business between the Odingas and the Wamalwas: "Of course there are some unsettled accounts. Western region had legitimate expectations that after Jaramogi Odinga passed on in 1994, Luo Nyanza would reciprocate the 1992 support to Jaramogi’s presidential bid. But instead of backing (Kijana) Wamalwa in 1997, Raila led Luo Nyanza out of Ford-Kenya to NDP. Most of us viewed it as betrayal and ingratitude."

Political dynasty

Asked whether he was not rendering himself to be used to perpetuate a Kibaki-Wamalwa political dynasty, the Saboti MP said: "The PM is not a leader because he is Jaramogi’s son. He has made his mark.

Likewise, Uhuru [Kenyatta] has vied and lost elections despite being [founder President Jomo] Kenyatta’s son. Musalia Mudavadi lost his seat in 2002 despite being a VP.

I believe I have what it takes to recapture Ford-Kenya’s lost youth constituency, and in alliance with others, we shall make it this time round. This is my advantage over my rivals". And is he not jumping the queue, seeking to upset senior politicians who feel entitled and more qualified for the top job?

"Political leadership is not about titles or entitlements, but service. We fully recognise the contributions senior politicians have made in expansion of democracy. But greatness also demands they should tell when it is time to hang their boots and make way for succession. They should not fear retirement.

They should not block Kenyans’ desire for a rebirth. Mr Robert Mugabe was a great liberation hero, but he has refused to retire. They should not copy him."

The 40-year old legislator has confounded friend and foe alike, after the President’s son went public in his support. Jimmy’s increased visibility through Simama Kenya has caused disquiet about what he knows about his father’s succession script.