Palace wars over Uhuru, Musalia

  Palace wars over Uhuru, Musalia

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Updated 4 hrs 33 mins ago

By Francis Ngige

Intrigues and power games are afoot within President Kibaki’s inner circle as his presidency enters the homestretch.

According to a source close to State House, the President’s men are pulling in different directions over who they should support to succeed him. Battle lines appear drawn as rival groups of powerbrokers jockey for places behind various presidential aspirants in readiness for the Kibaki succession.

A source close to one of the aspirants being courted says their support would be the kiss of death to their campaign. He adds the State House powerbrokers are obviously angling to remain in the corridors of power after Kibaki retires.  “I can tell you for a fact that some of these men are worried they will be left in the wilderness once Kibaki retires,” our source says.

It is the machinations of these powerful individuals that prompted State House and the President to issue statements denying any role in a succession plot.

Matters got to a head late last month when speculation over the role of State House in the succession games dominated political meetings.

In a tough-worded statement issued by the Presidential Press Services (PPS) earlier this month, State House officials dismissed the talks as “careless and irresponsible”. They were particular incensed by Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, who was alleging a State plot to register and support many political parties that would eventually rally behind a preferred successor.

President Kibaki’s aide Nick Wanjohi, who Jirongo linked to one of the parties, also released a statement denying any hand in the party or any succession plot.

Insiders say some of the President’s men are split between backing Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and his colleague Musalia Mudavadi. Others are said to be warming up to Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who still leads polls on the voters’ choice to replace Kibaki.

The men perceived to be close to Kibaki, including University of Nairobi Chancellor, Joe Wanjui, former Kenya Airports Authority Managing Director, George Muhoho, and KenGen Managing Director, Eddy Njoroge, are at a crossroads, our sources said. Wanjui and business magnate SK Macharia are said to be warming up to Raila. Muhoho, who is Uhuru’s uncle, has remained unusually quiet as the succession battle rages.

This group is commonly referred to as the ‘Muthaiga set’. It consists a group of wealthy friends thought to hold sway on Kibaki’s heart. But that appears to have disappeared, the official, conversant with the goings-on at State House, said. 

According to an insider who would not agree to be named discussing confidential matters, some of Kibaki’s closest friends are reluctant to support Uhuru, who they regard as “too independent”. This group is quietly rooting for Mudavadi, whom they see as level headed and easy to work with.

“They feel that Uhuru has already cut his niche in national politics and was, therefore, going for the seat as his own man,” said the source.

“Having suffered a humiliating defeat in 2002 after President Moi picked him as his preferred successor, Uhuru is not prepared to walk that route.”

The United Democratic Forum (UDF) that now accommodates Mudavadi was intended to be a political vehicle for Uhuru, rivals say. They claim Prof Wanjohi had a hand in its creation. Wanjohi has denied this. 

PNU alliance

“The party was registered when Uhuru became reluctant to be associated with PNU Alliance, an offshoot of PNU, and instead said he was looking for another party,” said another source privy to the intrigues.

An MP from central Kenya confirmed to The Standard On Sunday that after UDF was registered, many of them were whipped to join it “as it would be Uhuru’s political vehicle in 2012”.

“This explains the rush by some politicians in central Kenya to open UDF offices in the counties once the party was registered. We all knew that Uhuru had finally found a home,” said the MP. The presence of Laikipia West MP Ndiritu Muriithi, who is Kibaki’s nephew, in the party all but confirmed that UDF was indeed the party to watch.

“I can tell you from my tenure in Parliament, if you want to know what Kibaki’s stand on an issue is, then ask Muriithi. That is why most of us thought UDF was the right choice,” the MP confided.

An ally of Uhuru yesterday told us that the Deputy PM developed cold feet after realising that some senior civil servants are still keen to remain in office even after Kibaki retires.

“Some of the senior officials in State House want to still call the shots in the post-Kibaki era. That is why they want to involve themselves in these succession games. They want to maintain their clout,” our source said. “Uhuru has seen their intentions and has, therefore, chosen a complete new path.” He said Uhuru was surprised to learn a party had been formed for him to join.

“How did they expect him join a party they formed without consulting him? He even rebuffed a senior State House official who was said to be behind its registration,” the source said.

Another aide of Uhuru said there has been fear among his friends that inheriting the old men in Kibaki would jeopardise his chances of making it to State House.

“He would definitely be accused of being a man of the status quo if he goes that direction,” he said. “Having been used to power, some of these civil servants want to be directly involved in deciding the new tenant of State House.”

The whole lot was later taken aback when Uhuru pulled a surprise by refusing to join Kiraitu Murungi’s Alliance Party of Kenya, and launching his own party, The National Alliance.