Mt Kenya leaders seek to bargain in '22 bloc

 

Key Mt Kenya politicians have urged the region’s leaders to negotiate for 2022 stakes as one bloc and end the bitter split rocking President Uhuru Kenyatta’s backyard.

Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia, his Meru counterpart Kiraitu Murungi, Public Service CS Margaret Kobia and former head of civil Service Francis Muthaura said the region has a lot to lose if it doesn’t speak in one voice in 2022.

They urged the region's leaders to consider backing one person to send to the negotiating table for the Uhuru succession.

The leaders said the region's situation is different from that in other elections since it is facing a double transition — the exit of President Kenyatta as head of state and the region's top leader.

In this respect, the leaders vouched for Speaker Justin Muturi whom they said holds a better place owing to his rank in the region’s hierarchy.

Kimemia led the call, asking his counterparts from the region to shun the politics of Mt Kenya East versus Mt Kenya West.

“Let us bargain as one bloc. With our vote, we must determine who gets to power. Let us go for the presidency. It doesn’t matter even if it means the region produces the country’s next president again,” the governor said.

Speaking at the launch of Kiraitu’s book Beyond Politics, Kimemia said what the country needs is a leadership to transform the lives of Kenyans.

“We shall make sure the bloc votes in one way and that way, we shall be in government come next year,” he said.

Kimemia’s sentiments may boost National Assembly Speaker Muturi, being a governor from the Western side whose leaders had issues with the speaker’s crowning as Mt Kenya spokesman.

“Anybody can become what they want to become. He (Muturi) has the right to become what he can become. He did not tell me when he went for the coronation as I would have given him different instruments.”

Kiraitu said the region “should be careful in selecting those who are going to discuss at the negotiation table.

“Although all animals are equal, they are not really equal. You can send a horse and it will win a race but if you give it a load, it won’t carry.”

“We have to know which animal we are sending. We have to put extra gears in motion.  As leaders, it is for us to look at our situation with very clear eyes and decide what we want for the future,” Kiraitu said.

CS Kobia told Muturi to consider that “power is taken, not given.

“Don’t wait for people to approve you. We have permitted you to pursue your dream.”

Muthaura said  what determines the results of any election is a combination of party strength, regional strength and individual standing.

“When he (Muturi) decides to stand, it is very good. He should stand with others. It is your agenda and policy to Kenyans that will elect you. Let us allow everyone to lead.”

The leaders’ clarion call was for the region to think beyond the August 9 General Election.

“We are sure there will be a president after August 2022. It is for us to imagine Kenya after the elections. We should think beyond the next election,” Kiraitu added.

He said Mt Kenya is the country’s heart, gave it a name and thus has a central role in influencing the outcome of the next elections.

“Whatever government comes to power, Mt Kenya will play a central role. We are neither shy nor afraid to claim our space and our right within the systems that are going to unfold.”

They tasked Muturi to take up the challenge and face the competition when the 2022 election campaign horn is blown.

Muturi said he hopes to restore order, discipline and accountability in the running of the state, saying it is possible as in the case of the former Environment minister John Michuki.

“We need to have many more Michukis in this country. Kenyans know when people do the right thing, social justice prevails. When truth wins, we must consistently go in that direction,” the speaker said.

He said, “While Kenyans must never lose sight of the larger vision, I do not doubt my plans and intentions.

“I am clear my leadership will bring order in the country…with these lessons, the learning has just started.”     BY THE STAR