Uhuru’s new beginning

Uhuru’s new beginning Written By:Rufus Hunjah,    Posted: Sun, May 20, 2012

Uhuru has been under pressure to state under which party he would vie for presidency The unveiling of The National Alliance party by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta completes his search for a new vehicle in his renewed quest to become the fourth occupant of State House. The move further presents Uhuru a new beginning in the true sense of the word. He seeks to make a break with the past where he was viewed as a creation of other political forces. He wants to be seen as a man of his own. For Uhuru the journey to Sunday's launch has had more than its fair share of twins and turns.  The son of former president Jomo Kenyatta, Uhuru was plucked from his private life by retired president Daniel Arap Moi and thrust into political limelight when he was appointed to head the Kenya Tourism Board in 1999. After unsuccessfully vying for Gatundu South and  losing to little known Nairobi Architect Moses Mwihia, Uhuru retreated back to managing the family's business empire with close friends saying he had vowed not to engage in politics again. Moi would later nominate him as an MP in 2001 and subsequently appointing him minister for local government. It is these happenings that thrust Uhuru back into active politics which culminated with Moi choosing him as his heir apparent in 2002. It didn't go down well with Moi's political power brokers who dubbed him Moi's project and in the run-up to the 2002 elections Prime Minister Raila Odinga whose party had merged with KANU led a mass walkout from the party where they went on to form the NARC alliance  and support incumbent president Mwai Kibaki as their candidate. Uhuru would go on to lose the elections and humbly accepted defeat and take up his role as leader of opposition with gusto. Another fall-out in NARC would later see Uhuru and Raila on the same side this time leading a massive campaign against the draft constitution in 2005 a year when he was also elected KANU's chairman. Uhuru however decided not to vie for presidency in 2007 opting to support President Kibaki for a second term. The elections were marred with bloodshed later leading to the formation of the Grand coalition where Uhuru was appointed Minister for Local Government. In a cabinet reshuffle Uhuru was shifted to Trade Ministry and consequently appointed Deputy Prime Minister. It is for this violence that he is a suspect of the International Criminal Court on crimes against humanity. The confirmation of charges saw Uhuru step down as Minister for Finance but retain his post as Deputy Prime Minister. The fight for control of KANU pitting Uhuru and former MP Gideon Moi son of his political mentor, Moi ended with latter ditching the party fueling speculations on what would be his next move. And with his political allies having already identified their parties, Uhuru has been under pressure to state under which party he would vie for presidency. Sunday's launch of The National Alliance is therefore seen as a fresh start for Uhuru as he seeks to disassociate himself with claims of being a project again and be his own man. Uhuru has reiterated his desire to succeed President Kibaki irrespective of the ongoing debate on whether he should vie for the top seat when faced with charges in ICC. For now the launch is a major step towards his dream.