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.
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