Ruto is not sure: Why search for Mt Kenya’s kingpin is dividing politics

Could Mt Kenya mps perhaps be forming a master plan to say uhuru hasn’t finished his work and needs another 5yrs to complete?

The Mt Kenya region s in a dilemma as it finds itself badly exposed without a clear successor in the political leadership as President Uhuru Kenyatta’s rule enters its last years and the search for the regions  kingpin has left the region divided into three groups as they seek to find a new leader after President Uhuru Kenyatta exits the political scene.

One group, however, feels the President is too ‘young’ to retire. They are pushing for a referendum to change the Constitution for an inclusive government that accommodates a prime minister.

The group, backed by powerful political establishments, wants Uhuru to remain powerful in the government that will be formed after the 2022 polls.

“We only have one defacto leader – Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta – the rest are wannabes,” nominated Senator Isaac Mwaura told the Star on the phone.

The second group oscillates around Deputy President William Ruto, who is likely to be Uhuru’s successor after the President announced last month in Nandi that he will support Ruto’s presidential bid.

Uhuru was touring development projects in the region.

“We were told in Nyeri to focus on development. Agenda one, development, agenda two, development and agenda three, development,” nominated MP MP Cecily Mbarire said.

However, the third group wants a change of the status quo. They argue that Uhuru’s support for Ruto was personal.

“During the change of guard (after completion of the term of a sitting president) the incoming President must come from outside to get to power,” former Kiambu governor William Kabogo said.

“To climb to power from within (VP/DP) happened only once when Mzee Moi succeeded Hayati Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. Hustler, think.”

Apart from the first team of the political establishment, the two teams want a change of the status quo in the region.

The groups fighting to hold the grip on the region want to have a stake in the next government where they can influence policies at the national level.

“Uhuru caught them unawares when he said he is not interested in any other post after he serves his last term. But politics is constant and a contest. People will continue to jostle,” historian Macharia Munene says.

Observers told the Star the status quo has only favoured a few elites within the region.

“The fight is to protect economic and political interests. It is all about interests,” International Center for Policy and Conflict director Ndung’u Wainana said.

The groups against the establishment argue that Uhuru is not accessible and the area lags in development, despite voting for him overwhelmingly in the last polls.

 

“Our focus now is development and we are determined to see the people have a better life,” Mwaura said.

Despite politicians being the face of the tough succession battle, sources privy to the developments in the regions told the Star the business community, the clergy and professionals are heavily involved. Some are said to be ready to fund in a bid to push for their agenda.

Many politicians refused to comment.

“People are trying to create their own independent identity to shift their own negotiations. They are coming up with their own plans and jostling for their interests,” Wainaina said.

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With the fast shaping political landscape in the region, those who trust in the DP say Ruto is accessible and has helped them grow both economically and politically.

On March 29, plans by the group to endorse Ruto in Naivasha aborted after an MP called State House and other power brokers to raise the alarm.

The Enashipae meeting was convened by Gatundu MP Moses Kuria – Ruto’s close ally.

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