Monday, June 4, 2012

Why Central Kenya might settle for DPM


Why Central Kenya might settle for DPM

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Updated 8 hrs 18 mins ago
By Boniface Gikandi and Wainaina Ndung’u
The presence of a sizeable delegation of Kikuyu Elders at Musalia Mudavadi’s United Democratic Front (UDF) rally in Kakamega has provoked intense interest in the Mt Kenya region.
Are the region’s main leaders seriously considering throwing their weight behind the Sabatia MP as doubts mount whether regional frontrunner Uhuru Kenyatta will be on the ballot in the coming general election?
According to sources in the elder’s delegation that attended the Kakamega rally, there is now increasing convergence that the region must be prepared for a possible election without Uhuru’s candidature.
Laikipia West MP Ndiritu Muriithi who sources in the elder’s delegation named as having been instrumental in organising the trip confirmed they had taken “a sizeable delegation” to the meeting.
But the assistant minister would not explicitly say how many for “strategic reasons” although some of the elders who attended the meeting said there were three to five elders from each of Central Province five counties as well as the two Meru Counties, Laikipia, Nakuru, Embu and Nairobi.
Muriithi, the assistant minister for Industrialisation and a nephew of President Mwai Kibaki, on Sunday pointed us towards the symbolism of the rally attended by two allies of the other DPM Uhuru Kenyatta; Nairobi Metropolitan Development minister Jamleck Kamau and assistant minister Lewis Nguyai.
At the rally, Kamau passionately called on Mudavadi to join the G7 alliance that has Uhuru, vice president Kalonzo Musyoka and presidential candidates Eugene Wamalwa and William Ruto. “Jamleck and Nguyai’s presence is a pointer to very serious consultations about working together which should be continued strongly as it is legitimate and the way to go in this country,” said Muriithi.
Muriithi, however, refuted suggestions that the group met Mudavadi in secret, as did the DPM’s spokesman Kibitsu Kabatesi.
peaceful campaigns
“All I know is that the elders were publicly recognised in the meeting and one General Muiruri spoke on their behalf, saying they were bringing a message of goodwill from the people of Central Kenya,” said Kabatesi.
Muriithi on his part said the attendance by the elders was equivalent to that of other delegations from places such as Pokot County.
“I am personally quite gratified that the elders found time to attend this rally. Most sides of the political divides are now agreed that we must continue exploring ways of working together,” said the assistant minister.
An official of Kikuyu Council of Elders who was in the meeting said it was part of a move to reconcile the country ahead of the general election.
The official, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter, claimed the attendance of the meeting was part of the strategy by the Government to preach peace among the communities during campaign meetings, and was bankrolled by the Office of the President.
But the Central Provincial Peace Forum chairman Joseph Macharia refuted claims it was their initiative.
“We were not part and parcel of it. Although we talk to all politicians to encourage peaceful campaigns and elections, we are not biased and are supposed to be non partisan,” said Macharia adding that he was the group’s sole spokesman, “anybody attending such meetings would be doing so in their personal capacities.”
Officials of the elder’s forum from Murang’a who were part of the delegation to Western Kenya were named as Dr Simon Gichuru, Father Joakim Gitonga and General Muiruri.
Muriithi said there was also a delegation of councillors from the Nyahururu Municipality in the rally.
Muriithi and Ndaragwa’s Jeremiah Kioni, who are in UDF, are said to have in the past four months been working hand in hand with Kikuyu Council of Elders to sway support for a possible Mudavadi candidacy with the support of Uhuru and other regional kingmakers.
Sources claimed some MPs bankrolled the elders’ visit paying their airfare in a chartered passenger jet to attend the Saturday public rally in Kakamega.


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