Gema leaders meet to plot succession

Leaders from central Kenya region are meeting in Limuru on Friday and have promised a “major political announcement” at the close of their talks.

Hosted by the Mt Kenya Foundation, a regional lobby, and attended by the Gema Cultural Association, the meeting is expected to discuss the Kibaki succession.

On Thursday, a group of MPs from the region, led by Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi and Mathira MP Ephraim Maina chaired a meeting of MPs from the region at the PanAfric Hotel.

“Tomorrow’s (Friday) meeting will give the political direction that central Kenya is taking from now on and will mark the turning point of the politics in the region,” Mr Murungi told journalists after the meeting.

Dubbed Limuru II, the meeting is being attended by MPs, councillors, aspirants, religious leaders, businessmen and professionals from the Kikuyu, Meru and Embu communities.

Limuru I was held in 2010 ahead of the August Constitution referendum and resolved that Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta take up the political leadership and ensure that the region voted in favour of the new law.

Mr Kenyatta and other presidential contenders from the region could be part of Friday’s discussions. Mr Kenyatta is awaiting trial at the International Criminal Court which could lock him out of the presidential race.

It remains to be seen if the meeting will this time endorse the former Finance minister to take up the presidential mantle ahead of the General Election, with the impending exit of President Kibaki.

On Thursday, while reacting to a story carried by a local daily, Mr Kenyatta said that his campaign for the presidency was on course.

He said he and Mr Ruto were working with other leaders in the G7 to solidify their alliance and did not wish to be dragged into ODM affairs.

The Nation could not confirm if Mr Kenyatta will be attending Friday’s meeting. His key political allies confirmed their attendance.

The “Gema nation” meeting also comes in the wake of recent deaths of prominent leaders John Michuki and Njenga Karume.

It also comes at a time when President Kibaki is serving his final year and has refused to be drawn into the succession debate, with Mr Kenyatta and four other leaders from the region declaring interest to succeed him.

The others are Internal Security minister George Saitoti, Gichugu MP Martha Karua, assistant minister Peter Kenneth and former Kikuyu MP Paul Muite.

While Mr Kenyatta and Prof Saitoti have expressed interest in having joint nominations, Ms Karua and Mr Kenneth have refused to be part of such a plan.

The Limuru meeting is also supposed to be a forum for generational leadership change where those born more than 70 years ago are to pass on leadership roles to the younger generation.

It was not clear if Mr Kenneth, Ms Karua and Prof Saitoti will attend Friday’s meeting.

“Major issues of concern to the country and region are lined up for discussion and a major announcement will be made after the meeting,” said Major (Rtd) Stephen Karau, CEO of the Mt Kenya Foundation.

Chaired by Equity Bank Board chairman Peter Munga, an influential elder, MKF brings together business, political and cultural leaders.

It is one of the most powerful community lobby groups in the area.