Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has made unprovoked attacks targeting Raila Odinga. He is understandably bitter. He is likely to lash out at anyone he feels is responsible for his aborted Mt Kenya coup plot. His outbursts are not simply to seek political relevance but also a personal quest to seek closure over this crushing disappointment.

To get a clear understanding,  Kuria’s actions should be viewed from a broader political lens of the intense jostling among Central MPs drooling to inherit the region’s political kingpin crown after President Uhuru Kenyatta quits active politics.

President’s looming retirement has lit bonfires of anticipation among a section of Mt Kenya leaders who feel the vote-rich mountain bloc will be up for grabs. They hope the millions of votes will gravitate towards them as they woo the region with promises of protected interests in post-Uhuru’s presidency era.

The political matrix of Central is complicated. Uhuru’s retirement is not just an issue of leaving a public office; it is another historic 2013-Kibaki moment. This critical transition is being viewed as a point for transfer of influence and power.

This is the logic adopted by UDA-allied Central MPs. They are outraged the president still holds massive sway with his voters.

Kuria, more than any other leader, has been disturbingly vocal in pushing the narrative on how Uhuru should retire. This isn’t mere politics. It’s a subtle message intended to prime voters of the impending transition. It is meant to sow low-level disquiet in their minds by warning them their interests are no longer safe with an outgoing president. This is time for Central to settle on a capable replacement.

In Kuria’s scheming world, he fits the bill. The mission was to overthrow Uhuru and forcefully take his support base. He has constantly declared the Jubilee Party dead. High profile defections by self-seeking leaders from Uhuru’s backyard and defeat of a few motions in Parliament gave credence to this narrative.

Kuria’s bile against Jubilee is a byproduct of the Handshake. With ODM working with Jubilee, Raila did not need a chaperone to campaign in Mt Kenya. Jubilee supporters willingly welcomed him.

The death of Jubilee in Central offered an excellent opportunity for Kuria to reap massively. Through his Chama Cha Kazi party, he hoped to absorb all Jubilee orphans. To give it local flavour, the party was projected as Mt Kenya thing. Millions of voters in the region now had a political vehicle they could identify with.

However, Kuria’s move faced headwinds from UDA. Deputy President William Ruto viewed Mt Kenya as UDA region. Smaller parties would complicate matters and deny UDA the national look he craved for.

However, Kuria stuck to his guns. He had a bigger dream that went beyond the 2022 contest. His sight was on voters who were likely to be disillusioned if they believed Jubilee was dead. Disillusioned voters are easy prey. If they flocked into his party, even Ruto would be forced to negotiate with him as a partner in a coalition. His confidence and stature got a moderate boost after the Juja by-election where his candidate won.

His dream was simple. As the undisputed Central kingpin, he would wield massive power and influence. Presidential aspirants, particularly Raila, would have been forced to kneel and grovel before this kingmaker seeking access to Mt Kenya.

This never happened to the MP’s shocked dismay.

Kuria’s was a hut of hope built on fleeting assumptions. The first assumption, that Jubilee is dead, has been debunked. Uhuru himself took charge of revamping the party in a flawless execution that put to shame MPs who had written epitaphs for the party.

The second assumption, that aspirants would avoid Jubilee, is equally dead. Thousands of aspirants have expressed wish to ride on the party to vie for various posts countrywide. In Mt Kenya, Jubilee aspirants have simply overwhelmed opponents.

Ironically, members of Kuria’s party have been scrambling for this Jubilee’s pie.

This turn of events has understandably left the MP sore. His coup aborted; his well-laid plans have come a cropper. The dream of inheriting the mountain lies in cold tatters.

After failing, the MP has finally retreated to UDA; his true home. With expected more outbursts and name-calling, Kuria has been exposed as a mere Trojan horse for UDA in Mt Kenya region.