Why PM’s tour to central Kenya is causing jitters

• POLITICS: As Raila Odinga’s planned tour of central Kenya causes jitters among Uhuru’s allies, the move is discomforting to forces opposed to the visit as opinion poll shows PM’s popularity in region has grown.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s planned visit to Murang’a, which politicians allied to Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta oppose, is the culmination of the rivalry between the two leaders keen on the presidency come 2012.

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Mr Odinga’s tour has made some politicians jittery because it is seen as an attempt to make inroads into Mr Kenyatta’s backyard.

Some councillors have opposed the tour, claiming it is aimed at undermining Mr Kenyatta.

But Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, in whose constituency the premier is supposed to open a new factory, as well as his Maragua counterpart Elias Mbau, have said they have no problem with the visit.

“I am very well prepared to receive the PM, and he is welcome to Kigumo any time because he is the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, and we like him,” Mr Kamau said.

Mr Kenyatta has somewhat belatedly distanced himself from forces opposed to the February 28 visit, saying the PM was free to visit any part of the country. 

Next election

There is talk that the acrimony surrounding Mr Odinga’s tour is a curtainraiser and a pointer that the next election may be a clash between forces allied to Mr Odinga and Mr Kenyatta.

According to politicians allied to Mr Kenyatta, the move is particularly discomforting, coming at a time when an opinion poll shows Mr Odinga’s popularity in central Kenya on the rise.

Mr Kenyatta’s friends like Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua say the poll is inaccurate.

“The poll must have been conducted outside Central Province because the reality on the ground is very different from what it depicts,” he said.

A recent poll by Synovate indicated that in terms of popularity, Mr Odinga scored 17 per cent to Mr Kenyatta’s 15 per cent.

The figures indicate a dramatic boost to Mr Odinga’s fortunes in an area traditionally opposed to his bid for the presidency.

This has been attributed to what politicians close to him described as “quiet networking and strong rethinking” about the relationship between the Kikuyu and Mr Odinga’s Luo community.

The two communities harbour a political rivalry dating back to independence.