DPM gets boost as elders endorse pre-election deal

By Antony Gitonga

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta held a meeting with the Nakuru County Council of elders where the TNA-URP alliance was endorsed.

The TNA presidential candidate received the elders’ backing during the five-hour closed door meeting in Masada hotel. During the meeting, Uhuru briefed the elders on the ongoing talks between him and other parties ahead of the coming elections.

Addressing the Press after the meeting, the elders’ chairman Samuel Maigwa said they were satisfied with the coalition talks and supported the TNA-URP alliance. Mr Maigwa said the elders would soon hold meetings with elders from other communities in the county before they conduct campaigns for Uhuru’s bid.

The elders also briefed Uhuru on the recent peace agreement with Kalenjin Council of Elders. Meanwhile, the DPM said yesterday he will not be blackmailed as he seeks to succeed President Kibaki. In an apparent attack on Alliance Party of Kenya, which has cut links with TNA, the DPM said: “How can you ask what you will get even when we have not formed the government?”