As the 2022 general elections draw nearer by day, politicians in the country are in for the fight to secure their seat at the table, or at least, form coalitions that will see them remain in government.
Leaders allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta have yet again demonstrated disparities over the race to succeed him as Mount Kenya kingpin and subsequently, as Head of State.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya convened a meeting of leaders allied to President Kenyatta at the Kenya Methodist University (KEMU) grounds in Meru County on Saturday, July 24, 2021.
Leaders allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta at KEMU, Meru County on July 24, 2021. |Photo| Courtesy|
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The leaders met to strategise on how to solidify their support among members of the public ahead of the August 9, 2022 polls.
The meeting was attended by Governors Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Lee Kinyanjui (Nakuru), and James Nyoro (Kiambuu).
Others leaders present included: Deputy Nairobi Governor Ann Kananu, Murang'a Woman Representative Sabina Chege, former Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Kieni MP Kanini Kega among others.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi was invited to the meeting but failed to attend.
During the meeting, the leaders called upon Cabinet Secretaries to engage Kenyans at grassroot levels on matters development.
The leaders alleged that there are external political forces driving wedges between leaders from the Mt Kenya region, causing divisions.
Governor Waiguru and her Nakuru Counterpart, Kinyanjui stated that the divisions within the region will hand their opponents' easy victory in the coming elections.
The coronation of Speaker Muturi in April led to the emergence of the East and West Mt Kenya factions, a move that rattled a section of leaders allied to President Kenyatta.
"They want to divide us into small groups so that next year we don't have the numbers to decide who we want to leads us as a country," Waiguru stated.
The leaders have long opposed the coronation of Muturi as President Kenyatta's heir, arguing that the people will pick their own leader and no one should be imposed on them. This is despite Uhuru's cousin Kung'u Muigai reiterating that Muturi was the Head of State's designated choice.
Muturi who was on a rally of his own on Saturday stated that he will vie for the Presidency, just not with the Jubilee Party. He stated that the political vehicle he will use is still a work in progress.
"It is difficult for one to identify himself with Jubilee as it is now. Today, you don’t know who is in Jubilee. Apart from those who were elected, who else is in Jubilee at the grassroots?” he posed.
“The situation now is shaky because Jubilee failed to take the opportunity of turning itself into a powerful party with presence across the country,” Muturi stated.
His sentiments, however, bear truth in them. Jubilee leaders have recently highlighted the need to restrategise, should they want to emerge victorious in the 2022 polls.
Murang'a Women Rep Sabina Chege stated that the ruling Jubilee Party's loss in the Kiambaa by-election was a bad show, calling upon leaders from the region to unite and ensure one voice walking into 2022.
She urged CSs to engage Kenyans at grassroot levels on the work they have done.
"Some CSs just stay in the office instead of highlighting some of the projects they have done so that Kenyans can also see that the Jubilee government has worked hard.
"Others just discuss politics when they go to the grassroots," Chege stated.
