Mt Kenya leaders spare no effort to catch Ruto’s eye in 2022 battle

Deputy President William Ruto. Last week, ODM party, reacting to Mr Ruto’s withering attack on Raila Odinga over his push for constitutional reforms, came out to brand the Deputy President Kenya’s “enemy number one”, echoing the “one dangerous man” chant about Mr Odinga in 2007. PHOTO | FILE | DPPS

What you need to know:

  • In the Ameru region, Tharaka-Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki has stepped up his campaigns and even hired a media team early this year that is responsible for his image.

  • In Murang’a, Governor Mwangi wa Iria and Mr Kang’ata are raising the ante as they seek to be on the most coveted ticket.

  • But Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria disagreed with the notion that counties like Kiambu should be excluded from the debate simply because they have produced two presidents already.

After leaving Kenneth Matiba’s funeral service in Murang’a last week, President Uhuru Kenyatta made a brief stopover at Githurai and tried to address the political elephant in Mt Kenya region: His succession.

“Forget about 2022 and focus on service delivery to the people,” the President told local politicians.

His intervention unmasked the political intrigues among politicians in the region as they seek to catch the eye of Deputy President William Ruto who is touted to be the Jubilee flagbearer in 2022.

The clamour is pitting region against the other with politicians positioning themselves based on experience, visibility and perception.

VISIBILITY

In the Ameru region, Tharaka-Nithi Senator Kithure Kindiki has stepped up his campaigns and even hired a media team early this year that is responsible for his image.

The senator has been attending harambees in Kirinyaga and Embu counties as he seeks to increase his visibility.

Although Prof Kindiki said it is too early to discuss 2022 politics in light of the work ahead, he nevertheless thinks central Kenya needs to “return the favour”.

“The Kikuyu, Ameru and Embu people have longstanding ties, always investing together in national politics and it will be expected that in the next election, Kikuyu people will agree to invest in someone from the Ameru/Embu region,” he said.

Under the Gema banner, the Meru community has backed the three presidents from central region since independence.

CAGEY

Prof Kindiki’s stand is supported by Murang’a senator and deputy Jubilee chief whip Irungu Kang’ata who says Mr Ruto’s deputy should be either from Meru or Murang’a. “Nyeri and Kiambu have produced president and we do not expect them to be in contention in succession,” said Mr Kang’ata.

In Murang’a, Governor Mwangi wa Iria and Mr Kang’ata are raising the ante as they seek to be on the most coveted ticket. While Mr Kang’ata has remained cagey on his next political move, Mr Wa Iria is more overt.

“Of course it’s too early to start such campaigns, but I am serving my last term as governor. After that, I want to play a role at a national level to support Jubilee and Ruto,” said Mr Wa Iria.

The only other governor from Mt Kenya who was re-elected for a second term apart from Embu’s Martin Wambora, Mr Wa Iria has also been rolling out social programmes not only in the county but across the region. During the repeat elections last year, he also constituted a lobby, Taifa la Jubilee, which went around Mt Kenya campaigning for President Kenyatta.

TRADERS

The team is also rolling out a one-cow-a-homestead programme for the region in what will be reminiscent of Rwanda President Paul Kagame’s life-changing initiative.

A skilful user of vernacular media, Mr Wa iria has also introduced a Hawkers Bill which is currently in the Senate as he seeks to tap into the vote of the  informal traders, who are mostly from the region.

He is also launching a free fertiliser programme for farmers in the region, all of which is being broadcasted regularly on vernacular TV and radio programmes. He has on several occasions been sent by Mr Ruto to represent him in harambees.

Mr Kang’ata, on the other hand, has recently taken up high profile national roles like chairing the devolution conference. However, he has not come out to state what his ambitions are.

“I am not competing with Mr Wa Iria. He is serving the last term and thus leaving the local political scene, but I am still active there,” said Mr Kang’ata.

ROTATIONAL

 Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro added: “It is Murang’a’s time. We have also consistently supported our brothers in national politics. It can be any politician from Murang’a because we have many. As long as they support Ruto.”

But Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria disagreed with the notion that counties like Kiambu should be excluded from the debate simply because they have produced two presidents already.

The MP has been touring Mt Kenya doing harambees in Nyeri, Murang’a and Kirinyaga. He and Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua have been accompanying the DP in countrywide tours.

“I do not believe in rotational leadership. Whether it’s the presidency or any other position. And the people in Mt Kenya do not give a hoot where you come from as long as you can articulate their issues,” said Mr Kuria.

The second term MP was philosophical when it came to claims that he is marshalling his political troops for a stab at the number two position and that is why he is traversing counties at Jubilee’s behest.

KINGPIN

“Regional kingship is not handed over on a silver platter. I will continue to champion our community’s cause as long as I am alive. As for the future, I may even decide to take a break from politics like Ramaphosa. I miss the anonymity I had,” said the MP, referring to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa who took a break from politics.

“Mt Kenya people are very decisive. They are no respecters of status of men. For now, they have settled on Ruto and they will identify the regional kingpin too,” said Mr Kuria.

In Nyeri, Mr Gachagua and his Kieni counterpart Kanini Kega are pulling out all the stops to mobilise support for the DP. Both have been leading delegations to see Mr Ruto. The DP also visited their constituencies in March.

But Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, while insisting he is not against the DP, said the politicians are going around the issue the wrong way. “Are they presenting Mt Kenya issues to the DP or are they representing the DP in Mt Kenya? The Deputy President doesn’t need the latter. He is already popular on the ground,” said Mr Ngunjiri.

DISENFRANCHISING

The MP said politicians going to see the DP should articulate Mt Kenya issues to him instead of just “following him around”.

“For instance, the DP should support our calls for voter equality. We have too many voters in Mt Kenya region and few constituencies. That is disenfranchising us when it comes to resource allocation and the DP can help address the issue. That is what we should be discussing,” he said.

Mr Gachagua added: “It would be very wrong if Mt Kenya sidestepped the DP. We are with him all the way.”

In Kirinyaga, Governor Anne Waiguru has also stepped up her charm offensive as she seeks to build a wider national appeal despite facing local onslaught from Woman Representative Wangui Ngirici.

Ms Waiguru has also met with the Moi family, but remained tight-lipped about the encounter. Local politicians believe the political fight between her and Ms Ngirici is linked to the 2022 elections.

CHEMISTRY

In an earlier interview, Kirinyaga Senator Charles Kibiru and assembly Majority Leader James Murango attributed the clash to the 2022 national succession politics.

“Each wants to be the point-woman for Deputy President William Ruto in the county. Discrediting Waiguru helps the woman representative,” said Mr Murango.

Consequently, some leaders in the county have reached out to Kenyan ambassador to the US Njeru Githae to return to the political fray in readiness for 2022. Mr Githae, a former Ndia MP and Cabinet minister, has yet to agree to the return plan, according to conversations seen by the Sunday Nation.

Mr Kuria said the choice of the deputy will be influenced by chemistry between the candidate and the DP and the ability of the candidate to marshal votes.

Mr Kang’ata said: “The DP is an experienced politician who knows how to play his cards well. He will decide wisely.”

Additional reporting by Alex Njeru