Raila, Kalonzo out to win over Central Kenya

• The Mt Kenya region vote will play a pivotal role in the political fortunes of both Mr Musyoka and Mr Odinga as they stake claim to State House in the year 2012.
• Both men will seize any opportunity to visit the region not only to test the waters but also to woe this key and crucial voting block.
• The Kriegler report alludes to the disparities in voting populations in Kenya’s constituencies, saying they breach the equality principle of democracy.

Disparities

Indeed the Kriegler report alludes to the disparities in voting populations in Kenya’s constituencies, saying they breach the equality principle of democracy.

The fate of internally displaced people was also forcefully placed on the negotiating table.

While Internal Security minister George Saitoti pledged to beef up security in conflict-prone areas, Ms Murugi was emphatic that in any future political arrangement, the safety of those outside the Central Kenya region must be guaranteed.

That the post-election violence is still preying on the minds of the leaders was also evident.

Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni attributed the violence to a campaign that was framed and driven by a concerted effort to negatively portray the peoples from Central Province.

He made clear that their people would be very wary in engaging with politicians who went out of their way to demonise them.

In response and perhaps an indicator to the fact that ODM is going flat out to make inroads in the region, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi said in future, no political sentiments would be expressed to scare some communities.