Central MPs name Uhuru as region’s torchbearer

By Vitalis Kimutai
Twenty-six MPs from the larger Mt Kenya region have endorsed Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as the area’s political torchbearer.
The MPs drawn from the larger Central, Central Rift Valley, Central Eastern, and Nairobi regions picked the Finance Minister and Kanu chairman as their leader after a six-hour meeting in Nairobi.
"He is nominated as our community political leader," said Runyenjes MP Cecily Mbarire.
The leaders also voted in favour of a political alliance that would bring together leaders from the region before the General Election. Briefing the Press after the meeting, the legislators said the name of the alliance would be unveiled soon.
They mandated Uhuru to reach out to other leaders across the country and craft political alliances. The Gatundu South MP was picked during a meeting at the Co-operative Training College, Karen, and mandated to unite people from the region.
The move is a boost for Uhuru who is now a cut above the others in the region in the race to succeed President Kibaki in State House.
"We have made this decision after serious consultations, soul searching, scientific and empirical analysis and evaluations," the MPs said, in a statement Mbarire read.
"Our eyes are on success, our train has set off and on its way to other regions. We will ensure that we tap friendships that will build into a national rhythm," read the statement.
National unity
They added, "We know our people are with us on this bold move, and we undertake not to relent until we firmly obtain enduring dialogue, security, national unity, economic empowerment, and national cohesion."
More inclusive consultative meetings and political forums bringing together opinion leaders, MPs, councilors stakeholders to popularise the leaders and the alliance have been lined up.
Before the press statement was read, Mathira MP Ephraim Maina who is also the Central Province parliamentary group chairman said they would not take questions.
"We urge you people from the media to take our statement as it is. There is no additional comment from us. Please understand and bear with us," Maina said.
Sources told The Standard On Saturday that the MPs subjected to a vote the question as to whether a new political party should be formed or an alliance be crafted.
"It was agreed that the MPs remain in their parties of choice but an alliance bringing them together would be formed. Majority of us were not comfortable with leaving our parties for a new outfit," said an MP, who attended but did not want to be named.
Assistant Minister Peter Kenneth, Gichugu MP Martha Karua and Uhuru, who have expressed interest in the Presidency after President Kibaki retires, were not invited.
Earlier, MPs from the region raised issues with the fact that Energy Minister and PNU Secretary General Kiraitu Muriungi convened the meeting.
Mwea MP Peter Gitau said that his Mathira counterpart should have convened the meeting as the chairman of the group.
"Many of us are not comfortable with the fact that Kiraitu is the convener of the meeting since not all of us are in PNU," Gitau who did not attend the function said.
Another MP said they had been invited to the meeting through sms to their mobile phones.
Early this week, Maina had told The Standard that they had excluded Uhuru, Kenneth, and Karua from the meeting because they did not want the meeting to be dominated by the presidential contest.
"The leader we are looking for is not necessarily one to contest the Presidency, but to unite people from the larger Mt Kenya region ahead of the General Election," Maina said.
But the leaders went ahead to pick Uhuru as their presidential flag bearer.
Uhuru is part of a group called G7 bringing together Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa, and Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo.