Azimio yet to find suitable running mate in Mt Kenya

Designers of Azimo La Umoja coalition face a fresh headache over the choice of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s running mate in the August 9 presidential race.

A section of Jubilee party insiders are now pushing President Uhuru Kenyatta to widen his net beyond some of the leaders from Mt Kenya who have been proposed for the position.

The move follows concerns that those who were being groomed to deputise Raila, in an attempt to entice the region to the Orange leader, had failed to pull their own weight despite being given high profile assignment for visibility.

Whereas there is near consensus that just like in the Deputy President William Ruto’s camp, the running-mate post should go to the region, and preferably Central Kenya due to its population, People Daily has established that cracks have emerged as camps fight over who is the right choice.

Names of those being floated have been reduced to two: Former Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya.

“There is a serious but silent war over that position of running-mate. It is agreeable that the post should go to Mt Kenya, but who is the right candidate? Who among our Generals have proved that they are worthy so far? Who would have any value beyond Uhuru’s efforts? That is where the war is, and expect this to erupt soon because some of the people being described as front runners, are seen to be paper tigers,” a high-ranking Azimio strategist from Mt Kenya said.

While the Tanga Tanga brigade has built faces such as Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) and Alice Wahome (Kandara) who shoot from the hip while aiming at President Uhuru over his succession politics, the source said there are “grave concerns” that the Azimio camp lacked such figures. Initially, Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, Laikipia Governor Nderitu Muriithi and his Nakuru counterpart Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru) and Narc-Kenya head Martha Karua, who is seeking Kirinyaga governor seat, were being considered.

Jubilee Party Deputy Secretary General Joshua Kutuny yesterday said the running-mate must add value to Raila’s candidature, and be in a position to take on Tanga Tanga with equal aggression in favour of the ODM boss

Equal aggression

“It is clear Rigathi will be Ruto’s running mate. It will have to be fire for fire and so we need someone with equal aggression. We do not want to give it to people just because they have money and name, but people with the political spine and punch, not those sitting on the fence and waiting for endorsements,” the Cherang’any MP said.

He continued: “There are people who were given opportunities to prove themselves from two years ago. They were even appointed to the Building Bridges Initiative committee but after BBI fell, they faded, and it seems they cannot move without Raila yet we want them to help Raila in the mountain. The President has been struggling with the shortage  of leaders who can communicate to his community successfully like the way Rigathi has succeeded in poisoning the Mountain in favour of Ruto.”

Lack of a succession strategy and management has been blamed for a shortage of leaders with influence, command respect, with vigour and hold clout, not only in the national politics but in the region.

Political pundits have also weighed in on the matter. History Prof Macharia Munene says: “No one has emerged as the focal point so far in Mt Kenya politics since those agitating for the position, none of them have distinguished themselves. There was a time Kenneth’s name was being floated but that seems to have turned problematic because of various factors just like it did with Munya, and, therefore, people will keep fighting each other as they try to prove themselves.”

The elevation of Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni and Kanini Kega (Kieni) as Jubilee secretary general and director of elections, and Murang’a Woman Rep Sabina Chege’s visible national role in the Raila’s campaign has triggered debate that they main join the league of possible alternatives.

“Kanini and Kioni’s appointments send a strong message on the general believability because with the appointments in the party, the lawmakers are seen to have the trust of Uhuru in managing the party’s political affairs and also appears to be now ahead of the likes of Maina Kamanda, who were initially running the show. Kanini is projecting himself as the face of Azimio by being all over,” Munene said.

Sources within the party say that Kanini’s posts in the party leadership had not been created and it was the President who insisted on it.

Initially, local dynamics appeared to have favoured Kenneth since he hails from Muran’ga where leaders have been agitating for the post since Kiambu and Nyeri have produced national leaders.

And during BBI, and the special treatment by Uhuru’s confidants created an impression that he was being groomed to succeed the Head of State in Mt Kenya politics,  but he has since been accused of failing for prove himself.

Right candidate

Those who have been pushing for Kenneth to be Raila’s running made include Jubilee Vice-Chairman David Murathe, Kamanda, Nominated Senator I.G Ngugi, Igembe North MP Maoka Moare, Muturi Kigano (Kangema), Ruth Mwaniki (Kigumo), Ngugi Nduati (Gatanga) and Peter Kimari (Mathioya).

Sources also indicate the appointment of Ndiritu to Raila’s campaign board was tactical to give him a platform to build his profile but he has been accused of not exploiting it “because his impact has not been felt in the mountain” with his critics accusing him of being “too comfortable,”

Nyeri Town MP Wambugu Ngunjiri, who is one of the tough defenders of Uhuru, suggested the region is yet to get someone with such qualities but “with time they will emerge.”

The right candidate, he said, must be able to represent regional interests, command respect and influence regionally and beyond, work with Uhuru to ensure whatever is negotiated in Azimio will be executed, one who has the qualities of being president.

“Leaders pop up like mushrooms. You may not see them but they will be there and will emerge with time. In our region, those people will emerge with time but Uhuru will continue to play that regional figure role until his heir apparent distinguishes themselves,” he said.