Tuesday, August 16, 2011

MPs to endorse Uhuru at Limuru meeting



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Central Kenya MPs are this week scheduled to hold a meeting to endorse Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as the region's 2012 presidental candidate. The meeting, to be held at the historic Limuru Conference Centre, will be attended by more than 2,000 grassroots  religious, business and political leaders. It is organised by the Central Kenya Parliamentary group, led by Mathira MP Ephraim Maina.
The Limuru conference is a follow-up on the meeting held in Karen a fortnight ago attended by MPs from the region. “We shall look at all the possible candidates before we make our decision. We want our people to either agree or disagree with our view that Uhuru is the best man to succeed President Kibaki next year,” said Maina. Apart from Uhuru, Gichugu MP Martha Karua has declared her interest in the top seat while Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth is expected to declare his bid as well. Safina party leader Paul Muite has also declared his interest just like Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi.
Uhuru faces charges of crimes against humanity at the International Criminal Court and is yet to officially declare his interest in the seat. He has however been dropping hints that he may be in the race and his supporters have left no doubt that it is only a matter of time before he launches his campaign.
The ICC will decide by the end of the year if Uhuru and five other Kenyans should stand trial. The confirmation of charges hearings where the court will decide whether he has a case to answer will be held next month. If the court rules that Uhuru has a case to answer, then he will be locked out of the presidential election because the constitution says once a person has been charged in a court of law he is ineligible to contest until his case is heard and determined.
Two weeks ago Uhuru said he would ask President Kibaki to give him time off so that he can start to campaign openly like some of his possible opponents. “We did all the analysis and looked at all those who have declared interest in the Presidency and we were left with no doubt that Uhuru will be the best presidential candidate," said the Central Kenya Parliamentary group vice chairman Kiraitu Murungi who is Energy minister.
According to  the latest opinion poll by Synovate, Uhuru is the preferred candidate within the G7 Alliance with 18 per cent followed by Ruto on 8 per cent. The G7, whose objective is to defeat Raila's presidential bid, replaced the KKK Alliance and includes Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, MP Eugene Wamalwa, MP Aden Duale and former MP Omingo Magara. The only point of contention is who will be Uhuru's running mate since all the rest have declared their intention to be presidential candidates and do not see themselves playing second fiddle to a Uhuru presidential race. Analysts say the Limuru meeting is just one of the points of growing pressure on President Kibaki to endorse Uhuru.
Those pushing for the "strategic" endorsement argue Uhuru is the best candidate because his family has the financial muscle to mount a serious presidential challenge. A majority of the MPs who attended the Karen meeting and who will be at the Limuru conference believe the PNU Alliance joint strategy is dead and that is why they are going flat out to build support and a new party for Uhuru. “It is clear that Kalonzo will bolt out and you can see Ruto is busy building his UDM. Uhuru too needs to do the same,” said Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki, Uhuru's ally.

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