The lack of a clear successor for President Uhuru Kenyatta in the Mt Kenya region after his exit in 2022 has elicited tough battles in his backyard, dragging 2022 hopefuls in the infighting.
The succession battle has forced local leaders and businesses people in the region to align themselves with Deputy President William Ruto, ODM leader Raila Odinga and ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi for political survival.
“We are the most democratic society in Kenya and our region has seen so many leaders and political formations in the past, and still, we will see many in the foreseeable future,” Murang'a Governor Mwangi Iria told the Star.
Murang's Senator Irungu Kang'ata on Wednesday told KTN News that although there has been clear succession plan since 1992, as it is, there is no presumptive kingpin after Uhuru's exit.
"In 1992, we had [Kenneth] Matiba, in 1997-2002, we had Mwai Kibaki, as well as in 2007 with Uhuru in the wings. But now, the question now is who will be the next kingpin?" Kang'ata posed.
He noted that nature dislikes [abhors] vacuum and since everyone has to pursue political interests, there is a lot of jostling to get to the top.
He also said although the President has told politicians to tone down, "let's respect other people's rights".
“No one can tell the other what to do and it is good to keep our minds open. We can't predict,” political analyst Macharia Munene said.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Those affiliated to the Deputy President has accused the government of intimidation, the latest being the arrest of Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro on Monday.
His lawyer and Kandara MP Alice Wahome also claimed they have been blackmailed and threatened by persons she did not name.
Ruto, Raila, Mudavadi and Kalonzo are making inroads in the region, attending various events such as harambees, funerals and "meet the people" tours.
Business people with interests in real estate, betting, petroleum business, health, banking, hospitality and insurance, among others, are sponsoring some political activities in an attempt to position themselves.
“You might not see state officers and business people out there but they are heavily funding the activities. Politicians on their part are secretly bankrolling musicians and the clergy to push for their bid as the region's kingpins,” an official at the Office of the President said.
“The politicians are already meeting potential financiers. They are actually looking for the position of a running mate to protect their interests in the next government.”
Multiple sources told the Star that county commissioners were ordered to ensure Tangatanga members are not seen with the President in public functions.
“In fact, they are not told when Uhuru is expected to visit and are kept off the protocol in a bid to humiliate them,” an aide to a commissioner said.
The battle to control the region has led to the emergence of numerous parties and political groupings, with each county (based on six regions) and politicians pushing individual agendas.
“We are living in an interesting time where we have a petty rivalry in Mt Kenya and some pulling others down, despite calling for unity in public,” Munene told the Star on the phone.
“Uhuru might not have control but he is likeable and just like Kibaki, he still has some influence.”
Murang'a believes it's their turn to lead because they have supported Kiambu twice and Nyeri once. Uhuru, as well as his father Jomo Kenyatta, were from Kiambu while Kibaki is from Nyeri.
Asked who will be the next kingpin, Kang'ata said, "I don't know. It is not clear as no one has emerged showing the ability to bring the people together, and thus the lacuna remains."
He said he hopes the President will give direction, but he would prefer that kingpin to come from Murang'a.
“Mt Kenya has never cast its vote to one person. It's only that many people vote one way but questions are being raised now. Hard questions that make the future very unpredictable,” Munene said.
The old parties are rebuilding while new ones are emerging.
PNU and DP are being revamped despite Uhuru's ruling Jubilee Party dominance, which undergoing political turbulence due to his association with Raila after the handshake.
The new parties include Civic Renewal Party (Wa Iria) and Transformation National Alliance Party ( Moses Kuria), which are seen as political vehicles to venture into national politics and bargaining tools for the region in 2022.
Thre are also amorphous groups such as Team Embrace, Kieleweke, Tangatanga, Wanjiku and Inua Mama, all of which are holding political events in the region. Some have turned violent.
Uhuru has remained silent on his successor in the region.
However, experts and close aides added the region's power brokers believe Uhuru might endorse either Raila or Kalonzo after they supported him in the handshake, while others argue he will keep his 2013 gentlemen's agreement and back Ruto.
However, Lugari MP Ayub Savula says Mt Kenya cannot vote for Raila.
"In fact, when Raila vies, we should expect people in Mt Kenya turning out in large numbers to vote against him," he said, noting that the region will only vote for a leader "who has their interests at heart".
“We are going to have different powers in Mt Kenya. There are people who want to create Uhuru as an influential figure so that they can use him to bargain after the next polls,” International Center for Policy and Conflict Centre executive director Ndung'u Wainaina said.
“ Uhuru has the destroyed the economy and is seen as more of a privileged political system which has benefited and destroyed the lives of the masses. People in diaspora are likely to vote their own way for security and harmony.”
REGIONAL SUPREMACY
The battle, which has boiled down, into regional supremacy in Mt Kenya, is meant to control both local and national resources, protect individual business and dictate the region's future.
“Mt Kenya people are purely in enterprise and agriculture sectors, where they want new leadership that will build capacity in these areas,” Civic Renewal Party chairman James Mwangi told the Star on the phone.
“The real power brokers are looking for fillers. Musalia looks as a compromised candidate for the dynasties, other power brokers and the masses,” Wainaina said.
Critics warn that the succession debate is promoting tribalism and risks destroying the national fabric.
“Instead of uniting the country, they are busy running around in political groupings,” Reverent Timothy Njoya told the Star on the phone.
“We don't want to be told that the sons and daughters of certain people will rule us. Succession politics has killed democracy in Kenya,” he said.
