Central Kenya region is struggling to reach a consensus ahead of President Uhuru Kenyatta's impending retirement, with factions emanating daily.
With Tanga Tanga group from Mt Kenya facing a backlash from a number of top leaders, Kieleweke team which is allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta has been taking on DP William Ruto.
The team accuses the DP of conducting premature campaigns, adding that such environment will sabotage service delivery. Nominated MP Maina Kamanda has been the captain.
But last week, another seemingly new faction comprising of former leaders who have been accusing Ruto of 2017 shoddy Jubilee nominations and some current leaders was born.
The Uongozi forum, which held its first meeting last week, also comprises of academicians who are believed to control politics from behind the scenes.
“We selectively chose people we thought are our legitimate leaders even if they are not elected and that is how the likes of (former Murang’a Senator Getura) Kembi, Mutahi Kagwe, Priscila Nyokabi, Martha Karua, Njenga Mungai and Daniel Karaba attended,” Peter Kagwanja, one of the convenors, told Sunday Standard.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi opened the forum, also attended by Gen (Rtd) Julius Karangi, Governors Francis Kimemia, Nderitu Mureithi and Kiraitu Murungi, political scientist Mutahi Ngunyi, Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya, Karanja Kabage (who died shortly thereafter), Rtd Lt Col Joseph Kingori, Daniel Karaba and Prof Njunguna Ndung’u.
Already, Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has dismissed the gathering as vision less. He accuses conveners of sidelining elected leaders. Kuria is also in charge of another faction called Wanjiku team.
Kikuyu MP Kamau Ichung’wa took up on a similar line. “What I am opposed to is the political ethnic mobilisation and balkanisation in the pretext of discussing development. Let them continue with it, they know what they want to achieve,” said Ichung’wa.
But Kagwanja says the new forum has no place for sycophants. In fact, he argues it is because the present leadership was reincarnating the sycophantic ethos of the past that ignited the spark for the group.
“We cannot see the difference between Ichungwa and Kanyingi, and I also cannot tell the difference between Ndindi Nyoro and Gidraf Mweru who was supposed to have replaced Matiba. Gidraf could have performed better. I cannot see the Matibas, the Michukis, the Mwichigi’s and the Kiano’s,” he says.
Former Cabinet Minister Martha Karua put it bluntly. She told the conveners to stop hiding behind the development agenda when issues to be discussed were clear.
“You don’t have to convene us with the excuse of development, we can convene without talking development and we don’t have to ask for permission to meet,” said Karua.
Despite the ongoing wrangles, President Uhuru Kenyatta has remained mum over the ongoing politics. He only seemed irked by Tangatanga troops who he accuses of sabotaging his administration.