Groups disrupt Uhuru speech at rally

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By GEORGE MUNENE gamunene@yahoo.com
Posted  Thursday, September 13  2012 at  23:00

IN SUMMARY

• Mob wanted leader to name candidate for the Kirinyaga governor position

A rowdy mob on Thursday disrupted Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s speech at a campaign rally demanding that he names his preferred candidate for the Kirinyaga governor’s post.

Supporters of Finance minister Njeru Githae and those of former Foreign Affairs deputy permanent secretary Joseph Ndathi engaged in a showdown as Mr Kenyatta took his presidential campaigns to Kirinyaga County on Wednesday.

Mr Kenyatta was speaking at Kagumo Town when the supporters waved campaign posters of their candidates, forcing the DPM to ask the rival groups to be calm.

Both Mr Githae and Mr Ndathi are eyeing the governor’s post in the area and have been criss-crossing the county wooing voters.

Tension mounted as the supporters at one point shouted at each other, with the riot police watching from a distance.

Fearing that chaos could erupt, Mr Kenyatta pleaded with the groups to be calm.

“I have now seen which group is supporting who but I want to assure you that I will not endorse any leader,” he said amid shouts of “Toboa” (Reveal).

Popularly nominated

Mr Kenyatta promised that he would work with any candidate who will be popularly nominated for the governor’s seat.

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The Deputy Prime Minister told the two leaders to unite the residents to ensure campaigns go on peacefully.

When calm returned, Mr Kenyatta announced that The National Alliance (TNA) was working on the rules to ensure free and fair party nominations ahead of the General Election next year.

He said he wants to see a democratic nomination process for all the political seats to maintain the party’s popularity.

“We are putting proper nomination rules in place so that we don’t spoil the party, whose popularity is being felt across Kenya,” he told the crowd.

Mr Kenyatta — who also addressed crowds at Kamuiru, Kiamaina, Gathuthuma and Gatwe — said that those seeking various seats on a TNA ticket should be prepared to fight it out for them in a democratic manner as there would be no sacred cows.

“There will be no direct nomination in our party. Every aspirant will have to participate in the nominations, whose dates will be announced soon,” he told the cheering crowds.

He called on central Kenya voters to turn up in large numbers in the General Election and vote for him.

“Over the years, you have been dividing votes, but do not make this mistake again. I urge you to vote as a bloc for me,” he said as the residents cheered.

He asked voters not to be misled and be divided along party lines, adding that they should strictly vote for the TNA presidential candidate.