Uhuru will always be Mt Kenya kingpin – Kamanda

President Uhuru Kenyatta will remain Mt Kenya kingpin, even after retirement, nominated MP Maina Kamanda has told Tangatanga leaders. 

“Those who think he is just a passing cloud are wallowing in self-deception. They will face him in person," he said, adding that Uhuru will dictate who gets elected in the Kikuyu nation.

He was responding on Sunday to Nyandarua Tangatanga leaders who had accused Governor Francis Kimemia of ejecting them from Uhuru's meeting last Friday. 

Kamanda accused them of courting public sympathy to remain relevant because their political fate is sealed.

“Now they are singing to the music of their folly. They should be ashamed to drag the governor into their own created mess," he said, laughing. 

Speaking on the phone on Sunday, the President's ally said former Mukuruweini MP Muhika Mutahi's prophesy came to pass on Friday. 

Mutahi, during the Kikuyu Council of Elders' annual prayers at Nyahururu Stadium on December 31, said the day Uhuru will rise and point the direction the community should follow, all Tangatanga supporters in Central will hide in holes.

Woman Representative Faith Gitau, MPs David Kiaraho (Ol Kalou), Kwenya Thuku (Kinangop) and Michael Muchira (Ol Joro Orok), together with 19 elected MCAs led by Majority leader Edinald King’ori stayed holed up in the county assembly hall for two hours as Uhuru addressed residents at Ol Kalou town and at the county commissioner’s grounds.

The group had been ejected from a stakeholders' forum convened at the county commissioner’s office grounds by security personnel moments before the President arrived.

Earlier the four MPs, who appeared tense, had followed Uhuru to Kinangop where he launched road construction and later to Rurii in Ol Kalou where he issued title deeds to colonial villages squatters.

The President pleaded with Nyandarua residents to “tell your leaders to leave me alone so that I deliver on my pledges.” He said the courage with which the Tangatanga leaders go about insulting him and opposing the handshake and BBI would make one imagine they had the voters' authorisation. The people responded with a no.

After their ejection, the leaders hurried to the county assembly and crafted a one-page statement that was read by Kiaraho moments after Uhuru flew out of Ol Kalou.

They said the forum called by Uhuru to discuss issues affecting Nyandarua such as roads, electricity connectivity and jobs did not go as planned because elected leaders were barred from the venue by the governor.

“It is regrettable that the governor’s staff and the county commissioner security apparatus were instrumental in ejecting elected leaders from the meeting," read the statement

They said the governor did not want elected leaders to give the President the real picture of issues affecting residents. They said this was the second time they had been kicked out of Uhuru's function, the first being when the President met Mt Kenya leaders in Sagana last year.

Kimemia, in a rejoinder, said the leader’s sentiments were unworthy of a response. He said the only answer can be found in the correct reading of the Constitution, which outlines the “different mandates of my office and that of his Excellency the President. State functions are not domiciled in the county governor’s office". 

Kamanda also said the function was in the county commissioner’s ground, which is the Office of the President. The legislator said Uhuru has persistently urged leaders to cease endless politicking and mudslinging, and focus on development but they ignored him.

They believed Uhuru was just a passing cloud, he said.

Kamanda said he toured the country last year urging Kenyans to support the handshake and BBI as it was Uhuru's wish, but most leaders from Central insulted him saying he was not the President’s messenger.

The nominated MP said he spoke with Nyandarua MPs and MCAs on the need to toe the line but all his efforts were futile. Some time last year Kamanda met some influential Nyandarua MCAs including Majority leader King’ori, chief whip Wangari Methu and deputy speaker Zachary Njeru to urge them to support Uhuru.

“They did not know I was like John the Baptist who baptised with water. Now the one who baptises with water and spirit has come," he said.

An MCA who did not want to be quoted said of late the county assembly has become Tangatanga headquarters.

Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya