Uhuru denies alliance talks with Mudavadi

• Leader tells off UDF supporters for claiming that negotiations were under way

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has denied holding talks on a possible alliance with Mr Musalia Mudavadi, who is also DPM.

This is the first time Mr Kenyatta has come out to speak on his political relationship with his counterpart.

Mr Kenyatta on Monday told off Mr Mudavadi’s supporters in the United Democratic Forum (UDF) for claiming that the two leaders were in talks on a joint ticket in the coming elections.

Mr Kenyatta distanced himself from claims that his party, The National Alliance (TNA), was in talks with UDF over an alliance.

He added that he had not held such talks with Mr Mudavadi, who is UDF’s presidential candidate.

He is facing a revolt in the Mt Kenya region over his decision to shun parties that have been associated with MPs from the area. Some of the MPs have accused him of isolating them in his quest for the region’s votes.

Mr Kenyatta is expected to start a tour of central Kenya this weekend to drum up support for his presidential bid. He will be in Igembe and Meru on Friday and Saturday, and in Tharaka, Nithi and Embu the following week.

The DPM has particularly told off Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni and his Laikipia West counterpart Nderitu Mureithi who were quoted by a local daily saying that there were talks between him and Mr Mudavadi. He described claims by the two as “blatant lies”.

“No such thing exists. Kioni and Mureithi are not in TNA and are not qualified to speak for the DPM. They should stop pretending they can,” said Mr Kenyatta in a statement sent out by his spokesman Munyori Buku.

At the same time, MPs from Mt Kenya East on Tuesday accused Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi of attempting to balkanise the region.

They dissociated themselves from the minister’s remarks that Mr Kenyatta should shed his TNA tag while visiting the region if he wants support.

Nithi MP Kareke Mbiuki, Tharaka’s Alex Mburi, Mithuki Linturi of Igembe South, Cecily Mbarire of Runyenjes and Tigania West’s Kilemi Mwiria declared on Tuesday that TNA was unstoppable in the region.