Uhuru: If ICC strikes, we have able leaders to take over

By steve mkawale
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has moved to consolidate his political support in Rift Valley Province ahead of next year’s polls.
Uhuru, who held a meeting in Nakuru County, hinted at a political alliance with Eldoret North MP William Ruto ahead of the next General Election, sources inside the meeting said. Journalists were barred from entering the venue.
However, Uhuru assured his supporters that should the case at the International Criminal Court stop him from contesting, there were other leaders capable of taking over the mantle.
"I have accepted your challenge to vie for presidency in 2012 but should the ICC case stop me we have many leaders in this community who will take over," a source who attended the meeting said Uhuru told members of the Kikuyu Council of Elders at his family’s Gichea Farm in Rongai. In a meeting called to discuss the political and economic feature of the Kikuyu community in Nakuru, Uhuru said he was ready to forge political alliance with other communities, especially the Kalenjin in Rift Valley.
Seven MPs from Nakuru and Laikipia counties attended the meeting. They were Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru Town), Subukia’s Nelson Gaichuhie, Joseph Kiuna (Molo), John Mututho (Naivasha), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East) and Laikipia West’s Nderitu Mureithi. Kikuyu elders present were Samuel Maigwa, former mayor D K Kanyi, Joseph Gichuru, businessmen Boniface Muhia and Peter Njeru.
Uhuru said despite the ICC case he was ready to roll out his presidential campaign for 2012. "I know I’m innocent but if they (ICC) take me away my campaign for the presidency will not be in vain since I’m working with many leaders who can take over," he is said to have told the elders.
Uhuru’s meeting at Gichea farm is a clear indication that the Kanu national chairman is keen in consolidating his political support in the vote rich Rift Valley Province.
Several personalities and political forces are digging in to capture the vast Rift Valley voting bloc, which is estimated to be worth four million-plus votes.
Former Higher Education Minister William Ruto is considered to have an upper hand in the region that is considered vital to all those who have declared interest in the race to succeed President Kibaki in the 2012.
Uhuru’s meeting at his father’s farm in Rongai constituency is likely to raise political temperatures in the region considering his willingness to work with Ruto.