TNA leader goes on charm offensive as defections rock Raila

Deputy prime minister Uhuru kenyatta with Nominated MP Rachel Shebesh and Gender Minister Naomi Shaban during a TNA meeting at the great riftvalley lodge, Naivasha. Photo/NATION

What you need to know:

  • Uhuru now wooing more Orange leaders in battle for dominance ahead of March polls

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has embarked on a charm offensive to give The National Alliance party an edge in the next elections.

The TNA presidential hopeful is targeting Orange Democratic Movement MPs in Nairobi and Rift Valley. (READ: Politicians to ditch parties in defections)

At the same time, he has moved to cement his hold in central Kenya by wooing politicians from other parties in his backyard in what has stunned his opponents.

Meanwhile, shaken by the exit of his close allies from his party, Prime Minister Raila Odinga plans to host a major party retreat to restrategise.

According to sources within the TNA camp, the DPM is said to be working on a strategy to weaken ODM in Rift Valley by ensuring that politicians in the region either decamp to Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s United Republican Party or TNA.

Sotik MP Joyce Laboso is on Saturday expected to join Ruto’s URP, dealing a major blow to ODM.

On Friday, Mr Kenyatta’s spokesman Munyori Buku said the DPM wants to put together a democratic party that any Kenyan can feel free to join. He pointed at recent TNA victories in by-elections and defections as an indicator of Kenyans’ belief in the DPM.

“If the recent by-elections and political trend is anything to go by, then his point of view has the backing of the people,” Mr Buku said.

Mr Kenyatta’s political stature has risen following TNA’s recent wins in the Kangema and Kajiado North by-elections. The party also bagged five civic seats — including one in Eldoret and another in Kisii.

This week, Mr Kenyatta held meetings with ODM MPs Margaret Wanjiru, Rachel Shebesh and former Makadara MP Reuben Ndolo, also of the Orange party and who is eyeing the Nairobi governor’s seat. Mr Kenyatta’s team has also targeted Cabinet minister Joe Nyaga.

Indicating differences with ODM, Mr Nyaga said there was a plan to sack him as minister but he insisted he was still in the Orange party.

“There was a scheme to relieve me of my ministerial duties but President Kibaki saved me. However, I have not defected to TNA,” said the Cooperative Development minister.

Attended strategy meeting

Bishop Wanjiru, the Housing assistant minister and Starehe MP, and Ms Shebesh have been key allies of Mr Odinga and were part of the ODM Reloaded team that has been spearheading the PM’s presidential campaign.

Ms Shebesh spent last weekend at a TNA strategy meeting in Naivasha.

It is also understood that among those interested in joining the party include ODM’s John “KJ” Kiarie, who contested in Dagoretti but lost to Public Health Minister Beth Mugo.

TNA has also reached out to ODM Nairobi branch vice-chairman Ibrahim “Johnie” Ahmed and Foreign Affairs assistant minister Richard Onyonka.

Mr Onyonka admitted that he has been approached by emissaries from TNA.

“Yes they have sent their people. I have not given any commitment yet,” said the minister.

Mr Kenyatta’s party also has other targets. This week, Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando, who has been in DPM Musalia Mudavadi’s UDF, decamped to TNA. The party is also eyeing Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohamed.

Mr Kenyatta is further said to be in talks with Kenya National Congress presidential hopeful Peter Kenneth to have him drop his bid and get TNA’s support for the Nairobi or Murang’a governor’s seat.

Mr Kenneth has, however, insisted that he will continue with his presidential bid to the end.

In response to the TNA’s raids on his allies, Mr Odinga has called a meeting to examine the effect of the desertions and to plot a fight back.

“We will have a retreat to strategise and to plan our campaigns,” Mr Odinga said, adding that despite the defections his party was still strong. “We have our campaign manifesto ready and we will launch it soon. Our campaigns are stable,” said the PM.

On Friday the Saturday Nation established that the ODM retreat would be held in Naivasha at the end of the week and would involve ministers, MPs, National Executive Council members, National Elections Board members and members of the PM’s campaign secretariat.

On Thursday Mr Odinga got a  major boost when former Attorney General Amos Wako joined ODM, strengthening his support in Busia County.