Uhuru’s Hague friend isn’t vague

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By ALPHONCE SHIUNDU, BILLY MUIRURI and JACOB NG'ETICH
Posted  Friday, February 17  2012 at  20:07

If the PNU side of the coalition government was to pick the 10 brightest sparks within its ranks, Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni would easily make the cut.

A consistent voice on post-election violence and IDP issues, he was visible more recently as a key ally of Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, even going to The Hague last September “to give moral support.”

But all’s not well between Mr Kioni and Uhuru. Suddenly, Mr Kioni wants Mt Kenya voters to look beyond Uhuru.

He candidly suggests a Plan B because Uhuru and Eldoret North MP William Ruto may not run for the presidency.

Mr Kioni has skipped most of the Ocampo Two prayer meetings, including the Ruiru meeting three weeks ago.

Instead, he has directed his energies to a new outfit, the United Democratic Forum (UDF). (READ: Small parties set out to lure central Kenya voters)

“Uhuru is one of those UDF would be considering as their candidate. It is not automatic,” says Mr Kioni.

The MP says he does not have to agree with Uhuru on everything. “You cannot buy my mind. I cannot be a sycophant. I do not follow people blindly. I have a mind of my own,” he insists.

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Other bedfellows in UDF are Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohamed, Kabando wa Kabando (Mukurwe-ini) and Ndiritu Mureithi (Laikipia West).

The MP seems frustrated that some Uhuru handlers are keen to edge MPs out of Uhuru’s inner circle. Prior to the ICC appearances, Mr Kioni was always on Uhuru’s side.

Sources within the Uhuru legal fraternity confirm that Mr Kioni had been approached to be Uhuru’s witness during the confirmation of charges hearings last year, in his capacity as the chairman of the parliamentary committee that investigated illegal gangs in Kenya.

Mungiki was one of those investigated. The source said it is after Mr Kioni refused to testify that Kikuyu MP Lewis Nguyai was requested to step up as a witness. Mr Nguyai was Mr Kioni’s vice-chairman in the committee, it goes without saying.