A section of leaders from Mt Kenya region on Wednesday continued to push for a joint ticket between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga, a deal that can only be made possible through a referendum.
The debate on President Uhuru's succession has divided Jubilee party members, even as DP William Ruto and Uhuru put on brave faces in the recent weeks. One camp in Jubilee called Tanga Tanga supports Ruto while another one identified as Kieleweke backs Uhuru's legacy agenda and Handshake with Raila.
Nominated MP Maina Kamanda on Wednesday revealed plans to have Raila and Uhuru working together in 2022 polls, a move that could force the country to go for a referendum. Currently, the constitution does not allow Uhuru to run for another office after 2022.
“We will have a new coalition in 2022. The President has been candid that we can’t follow the same path we used before, and that we will have an inclusive government,” Mr Kamanda, a key member of the Kieleweke group that is opposed to Deputy President William Ruto succeeding President Kenyatta in 2022, said.
“The inclusivity the President has been talking about is the common denominator that brings the country together. We will have to go for a referendum to achieve this and bring our people together,” Mr Kamanda said.
Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi also echoed Kamanda's sentiments, insisting that a Raila-Uhuru joint ticket is inevitable. He said Jubilee and ODM would merge ahead of 2022 polls, a scheme which would frustrate DP Ruto's moves.
“Since the two leaders have the largest following in the country, I have proposed that the Jubilee and ODM merge and the two leaders vie on the same ticket to lead the country,” he told the Nation.
On his part, former MP Kabando wa Kabando said Uhuru and Raila have shown that unity can thrive in Kenya, adding that it's time to do away with Kikuyu-Kelenjin jinx that has been peddled in the last two elections.
“The sons of the founding fathers have the onerous obligation to midwife national reconciliation and cohesion. Kenya is on the threshold of a new political dispensation; the river is filling; it will flood soon,” he said.