By Francis Ngige
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s Saturday
statement on why he could sacrifice his presidential ambition has sparked
speculation in his central Kenya political bedrock.
The pronouncement made during the burial of
former Internal Security Minister George Saitoti has also given the region
mixed signals as the President Kibaki succession race enters the homestretch.
Uhuru asked mourners at the burial to emulate
Saitoti, but curiously added he was ready to sacrifice his personal ambition
for the sake of national unity.
Uhuru, who has previously insisted his name
would be on the presidential ballot paper despite the serious charges lined
against him at The Hague, suggested he might consider giving up his ambition
“for the sake of the country”.
“I want to state here that I’m prepared to give
up my own ambition in order to take this country where Hon Saitoti wanted,” said
Uhuru. He was eulogising Saitoti, who gave up his presidential ambition in
2002.
The unexpected pronouncement by Uhuru has opened
speculation within the political circles that he may, after all, decide not to
contest the presidency in the General Election.
With talks that his fellow Deputy Prime Minister
Musalia Mudavadi may be President Kibaki’s choice of a successor, the telling
statement by Uhuru has added another twist to the succession debate.
Mudavadi has, however, categorically denied he
was anyone’s “project” insisting he was his own man ready to fight it out in
the presidential election.With Uhuru’s statement coming at a time presidential
hopefuls are criss-crossing the country seeking support, the political game may
be changing.
Uhuru supporters are now unsure whether the DPM
is still in the presidential race or he is about to defer his ambition.
Consistent politician
Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni, a staunch supporter
of Uhuru who has, however, been closely associated with Mudavadi, described the
Gatundu South MP as an “honest politician.”
“I believe this is one honest politician we have
in this country. He is very consistent in what he does and his statement does
not surprise me,” said Kioni.
He said having shelved his presidential ambition
in 2007 when he supported Kibaki, it would not be surprising if he did the same
thing in the coming elections.
Tough battles
Kioni, however, added another twist to the story
saying although Uhuru was a principled politician “some hangers-on are always
putting him under pressure.”
“Without the sycophantic attitude of some of his
followers, Uhuru is capable of making proper decisions for the interest of the
country. He is a very sober politician,” said the outspoken MP. Kioni claimed
that some politicians who are facing tough battles in their backyards were
clinging onto Uhuru to ensure their own political survival.
“They want to push him to run for the presidency
so that they can ride on his popularity to win their seats. This is why they
are busy pushing for their agenda,” said the MP.
But his spokesman Munyori Buku said the
statement should not be construed to mean that Uhuru was out of the
presidential race.
“What he said is nothing new. He has stated on
several occasions that he is ready to work with like-minded leaders and
participate in a joint nominations,’’ added Buku.
He has said if another leader was nominated in
freely and fairly, Uhuru was ready to support that leader. And in the same
breath he expects other leaders to support him if he wins the ticket, said
Buku.
Igembe South MP Mithika Linturi also dismissed
the notion that Uhuru was preparing to drop his bid for presidenct, arguing
contrary to the perception created by his statement last Saturday, plans have
been finalised to roll out his presidential machine as the elections near.
“We should understand the circumstances in which
the statement was made. He was eulogising Saitoti who had made a similar statement,”
said Linturi.
He added: “In my view, that does not mean he
(Uhuru) is not running for president. We are preparing for his candidature as
he is still the people’s choice.”
Mwea MP Peter Gitau said Uhuru’s statement
should not be interpreted to mean that he was pulling out of the presidential
race.
Massive support
“We know Uhuru as an astute politician who is
respected across the political divide and what we know is that he enjoys
massive support across the country,” said Gitau. He, however, said should Uhuru
choose to shelve his ambition for the sake of the country, his decision should
be respected.
Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki, also an ally
of Uhuru, dismissed the speculation that the DPM might not be vying for
president.
“Uhuru is firmly in the race to State House on
The National Alliance ticket. What he meant is, if by any chance his
candidature is a threat to national unity, he shall step down and support any
other like-minded candidate,” explained Mbiuki.
He added: “To this end therefore, I wish to
confirm that Uhuru is still firmly in the presidential race.”
Uhuru: ‘I want to state here that I’m prepared
to give up my own ambition in order to take this country where Hon Saitoti
wanted’
Kioni: ‘I believe Uhuru is one honest politician
in this country. He is consistent in what he does and his statement does not
surprise me’
Buku: ‘That is not new, he has stated before he
is ready to work with like-minded leaders and participate in a joint
nomination’
Linturi: ‘We should understand circumstances in
which he spoke. He was eulogising Saitoti who had made a similar statement’
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