Uhuru tells aspirants to stop riding on his name

Uhuru tells aspirants to stop riding on his name

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Updated 6 hrs 16 mins ago

By Francis Ngige and James Munyeki

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has warned various political aspirants in central Kenya against using his name to get votes in the General Election or win party nominations.

In a move to consolidate his support and snuff out political fires emerging in the region, the DPM has faced his detractors head-on. “Don’t use my name to gain popularity,” is the message Uhuru has for political aspirants.

Uhuru disowned aspirants vying for various county seats claiming that he favoured them over the rest. The Gatundu South MP gave the warning as two MPs allied to Musalia Mudavadi’s United Democratic Forum (UDF) refuted claims they were in the party to undermine Uhuru in his bid for the presidency.

Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni and his Laikipia west counterpart

Ndiritu Muriithi said that they were in UDF simply because it was the party that would take over leadership once elections are held next year.

The two, who are among a few MPs from the region that is operating above the wave backing Uhuru showered praise on UDF, saying the party had the best ideologies to take over leadership once President Kibaki retires.

The lawmakers said there was no way they would undermine Uhuru, but were only revealing the truth to Kenyans ahead of the elections. They claimed there was a plot by politicians to force a run-off between Uhuru and Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“Whom do you think will be in the presidential rerun? It will be Uhuru and the other one you fear most. Then communities will be mobilised to gang up against one as happened in the 2007,” said Kioni.

Since Uhuru moved to The National Alliance (TNA) most of MPs seeking county seats have been rushing to identify with him.

Some have even put up posters and banners comprising of their pictures and that of Uhuru.

But Uhuru said he has no favourite candidate in any county. The DPM repeated the claims at every stop he made during his extensive tour of Tharaka Nithi, Meru and Embu Counties.

“When I come to you, I’m just seeking my vote in my bid for the presidency. All the aspirants should participate in a free and fair nomination,” said Uhuru.

He continued: “When the time for campaigns come, I will be asking for your vote as Uhuru Kenyatta. The rest will come to you in their individual capacity.”

Uhuru said he was aware some parliamentary, senators and governorship aspirants were claiming that he favoured them in the race.

“No one should come to you (voters) claiming that I’m supporting them. All those interested in the seat should seek votes and participate in the nominations,” said the DPM.

hijack party

During Uhuru’s tour of Meru, the political aspirants tried to outdo each other by trying to associate themselves with the DPM.

The rallies were akin to campaign meetings with nearly all aspirants distributing materials emblazoned with their pictures and that of Uhuru.

In Chuka Town, Nithi constituency Uhuru was forced to intervene after a section of the crowd booed local MP Kareke Mbiuki, who is among his key allies.

While Kareke was forced to cut short his speech, the other aspirants were given a rousing welcome.

In Central Kenya, there appears to be a scramble for Uhuru’s party tickets as politicians prepare for the General Election.

In Nyeri County, Kieni MP Nemesyus Warugongo accused some of his challengers of seeking to hijack the affairs of the party even before a county office is launched in the area.

“I have been told some people in Kieni want to announce the opening of the TNA office this (last) weekend. They have not been given a go-ahead as officials are busy organising the county office, which will give proper directions. Let them not spoil our party,” said Warugongo.

Warugongo is involved in a turf war with James Mathenge Simon who is aspiring to be the Kieni MP and has always claimed close links with Uhuru.

But during his tour of the region, Uhuru sought to clarify that all aspiring politicians should tell people what they would do for them rather than use his name to gain popularity.

“We are in a democratic system where the people will decide who their leader is. This should be judged by his ability to perform,” said Uhuru.

He added: “We should avoid rhetoric and instead tell people what you are going to do for them. That is the only way we are going to realise development.”

But speaking at Sipili Township in Laikipia West during a UDF rally, Kioni observed that many political aspirants, especially those in Central Kenya do not want to tell local residents the reality.

He described most of the aspirants as self-seekers clinging to an individual’s party to attain positions on his goodwill.

help of others

“You have to be wary of these kind of people who are only interested in power without being mindful to the welfare of the people in the region,” he said.

The legislator gave an example of how bad leaders came to be with 1992 presidential aspirant Kenneth Matiba who was tortured during the struggle for multipartyism, adding that those who attained seats under multiparty democracy think less about him.

“Similar politicians are there even today. Once they get to Parliament, Senate, County Assembly and Kenya burns, they won’t care. They’ll already have got what they wanted,” he said.

Muriithi said following the promulgation of the new Constitution, no single community will ever form a government on its own without the help of others.

“Don’t be cheated that Mount Kenya region can get more than 85 parliamentary seats out of the proposed 349, even if they follow each other like safari ants,” he said.