COMEBACK...

Gideon Moi has been busy on the campaign trail ever since he lost his Baringo Central seat in 2007. But Mr Moi has been more active in his quest to take over Kanu from chairman Uhuru Kenyatta than in his bid to reclaim his former seat.

Mr Moi, Kanu’s representative in the Rift Valley, accuses the Finance minister of abandoning the party and concentrating on PNU affairs.However, it is obvious that his bid to take over Kanu is part of his wider scheme for a comeback in 2012.

And now the referendum campaigns give him an opportunity to face off with former Lands Commissioner Sammy Mwaita, who dethroned him from the seat. Although he has not yet stated whether or not he supports the proposed constitution, many of his close associates, including Kanu secretary-general Nick Salat, are on the ‘No’ side.

And so is the man he inherited the seat from, his father retired president Daniel arap Moi. The older Moi has taken issue with the land chapter, which he claims is a recipe for chaos. Another big shot in the Rift Valley who is angling for a comeback in 2012, but who is yet to declare his stand on the proposed constitution is Nicholas Biwott.

Though he lost his Keiyo South seat to little known Jackson Kiptanui, Mr Biwott is always on the ground. In 2003, he sought Kanu’s chairmanship after the exit of Mr Moi, but he was defeated by Mr Kenyatta in what he believes was a rigged election. In 2008, he formed the National Vision Party, which he has been busy marketing across the country.

And in Cherangany, former Agriculture minister Kipruto arap Kirwa, who was named Kenya’s special envoy to Somalia, is also hoping for a comeback. Mr Kirwa has taken a low profile probably because of his diplomatic posting, but he has recently been associated with Ford Kenya elections where it was said he is seeking the position of secretary-general.

Mr Kirwa joined the party in 2007, but lost his seat to Mr Joshua Kutuny. Whereas Mr Kutuny is one of Mr William Ruto’s key backers in the ‘No’ camp, Mr Kirwa has not made his stand known. In Mwatate at the Coast, former Foreign Affairs minister Marsden Madoka’s moves have been causing unease among those aspiring for the seat.

Mr Madoka says he may go for his former seat or the senate seat in Taita Taveta county. But this depends on the outcome of the August 4 referendum. Since his ouster in 2007, Mr Madoka has been busy with his private businesses, only taking a short break to serve as the chairman of a commission that was formed last year to look into the state of affairs in Kenya’s prisons.

In Manyatta, former Cooperatives minister Njeru Ndwiga is also planning a political comeback. Mr Ndwiga says he does not regret losing in the 2007 elections, adding that he will be in the race come 2012. He is in the ‘Yes’ camp supporting the proposed constitution.

In Mathioya, former Cabinet minister Joseph Kamotho says he would not take a stand on the draft constitution. “My only advice to Kenyans is to read the constitution, understand it and vote with their conscience,” he said.

In Kirinyaga, former State House comptroller Matere Keriri has thrown his weight behind the new law. Mr Keriri, the chairman of the local PNU branch, says he supports the proposed constitution and would campaign for it aggressively. He said that the new law would bring about good governance and equitable distribution of resources.

Economic growth

In Mathira, former MP Matu Wamae is rooting for the proposed constitution. Mr Wamae said the proposed law will spur the country’s economic growth and create jobs for the youth. The case is the same in Naivasha, where former MP Jayne Kihara, who lost her seat to Kanu’s John Mututho, has declared her support for the proposed law.

After losing a petition against the election of Mr Mututho, she has not given up hope. On 2012, Mrs Kihara, who has come out to defend herself over post-election violence allegations, said: “My supporters are yearning for my comeback … but let’s cross the bridge when we come to it.”