KARUA THROWS SPANNER INTO SUCCESSION

THE STANDARD
NAIROBI, KENYA
April 7, 2009
By Francis Ngige

The Kibaki succession battle in the Mt Kenya region has intensified, but with the resignation of Martha Karua as Justice Minister on Monday, a spanner has been thrown into the works.

MPs allied to Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta moved to consolidate his support base when they met at a Nairobi hotel recently to map out strategies to secure the regional bloc for the Deputy Prime Minister.

Last month, MPs from the region converged at another hotel in Nairobi for a lunch meeting, where they resolved to support Uhuru.

Seeing Karua as the enemy within, they even plotted a censure Motion against her.

On Monday, Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua said: "We are happy she will join us in the Opposition benches. But we would have liked to bring her down as a minister."

"We had planned to have Ababu Namwamba sponsor the Motion and file it on April 22 and I would second it, but our efforts now are nipped in the bud," said Mbugua.

"Karua’s resignation draws a little support from sympathisers, but for us the man to watch is Uhuru.

The Mt Kenya leaders argue Uhuru should be officially declared the region’s spokesman shunting aside Karua, who has openly declared intent to succeed President Kibaki in 2012.

Spoilers

The ‘lunch meeting’ was convened by Nyeri Town MP Esther Murugi and attended by, among others, Kiraitu Murungi, Mwangi Kiunjuri, Ephraim Maina, Mbiuki Kareke, Kabando wa Kabando, Lenny Kivuti, Mbugua, Jeremiah Kioni, Jamleck Kamau, FT Nyamo, Ferdinand Waititu and George Thuo.

At the meeting, another source said it was agreed that Uhuru was the only hope for unity in the region and the only formidable challenger to Prime Minister Raila Odinga and other Presidential candidates.

"We do not want spoilers in our quest for the top seat. We want to ensure the even Karua toes the line under Uhuru," said the MP.

A source disclosed that the Central Kenya Parliamentary Group had an arsenal of Sh7.14 million, which will be used in the proposed rallies.

But Mr Maina was quick to deny claims that Uhuru had been chosen as Mt Kenya’s Presidential candidate.

Maina said Uhuru was only appointed as Central Kenya leader, but not crowned as a presidential candidate.

Inciting residents

Karua dismissed the endorsement of Uhuru in Gatundu, saying Kenyans would not be easily hoodwinked.

"I don’t think Kenyans will be enticed to build dynasties," she said, adding, "Every individual must be judged by his track record."

Karua is also staring at a possible showdown with her critics in Parliament. Karua was a heroine for being a strong defender of Kibaki during the election crisis. She is believed to be more popular than Uhuru outside Central Province.

As the chair of Narc-Kenya, Karua has acquired a platform to push her bid during the tour of the party across the country.