• Kabogo said he is the man to succeed Uhuru, becoming the third candidate from the President's Mt Kenya backyard to declare interest in the top job.
• Others are Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi.
Former Kiambu Governor Williams Kabogo has joined the growing list of aspirants eyeing to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the 2022 General Election.
In an interview with the Star, Kabogo said he is the man to succeed Uhuru, becoming the third candidate from the President's Mt Kenya backyard to declare interest in the top job.
Others are Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria and National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi.
“I will vie for the presidency come 2022. It's the people who want me to vie and thus the calling is unstoppable," he said, adding that his current mission is to ensure that Mt Kenya is united.
He said failure of the region to unite will give a chance to other communities seeking the seat to take advantage of the region’s huge voting bloc.
Kabogo, a close ally of President Kenyatta, controversially lost in 2017 election to Ferdinand Waititu.
It was widely expected that he could return to reclaim his seat from Governor James Nyoro after Waititu's dramatic impeachment last year.
Kabogo said the existence of several political parties in the region should not be castigated as long as leaders succeed in uniting people.
He said leaders from the small parties will come together and front a common goal, a similar case of 2013 where all parties supported Uhuru without merging them.
“There is nothing wrong with the registration of political parties within Mt Kenya. The most important thing is for the people to be united and speak in one voice for the wellbeing of society," he said.
Kabogo said he has not decided whether he will vie for the presidency as an independent candidate or acquire a political outfit.
However, he said he would not accept to be shortchanged in nominations again as it were in Jubilee primaries in 2017.
But Kikuyu Council of elders national chairman Samuel Kimani Maigua told the Star that the debate on who will be the next President should stop as Uhuru is still in command.
He urged Kenyans to offer Uhuru ample time to complete his term and write his legacy.
Maigua said that the Sagana meeting with President Kenyatta and Mt Kenya leaders was a clear indication that he (Uhuru) enjoys a huge command and respect.
He commended Kabogo’s friendship with President Kenyatta terming it genuine.
“Kabogo and Uhuru are great friends and his candidature shouldn’t be a surprise. I personally love him because he is bold and courageous and he always advises the community during a crisis,” Maigua said.
He maintained that Uhuru is the sole community spokesperson who should give direction.
The Star had earlier reported that Muturi held an exclusive meeting with the Kiama Kia Ma (Agikuyu Council of Elders) at their residence where the succession plan was discussed.
Muturi is said to be holding several meetings at his backyard seeking support from his community.
Political analysts believe that even as Uhuru tries to consolidate his base within Mt Kenya, the increase in the number of aspirants eyeing to succeed him will lead to the disintegration of votes.
Mt Kenya MCAs caucus chairman Charles Mwangi Ng’ang’a (Ichagaki ) who is said to be eyeing Murang’a senatorial seat said the region needs to be united.
He said that other communities eyeing the presidential seat are eagerly waiting for the fall of the region for them to scramble for the votes.
“I echo Kabogo’s sentiments that the registration of parties within the region shouldn’t be an excuse for division. Leaders from smaller parties will talk with one voice when the right time comes,” Ng'ang'a said.
The New Democrat party leader Thuo Mathenge who is eyeing Nyeri gubernatorial seat also said that the people of region should be given opportunity to choose who they want as their leaders.
He said the people should be wise enough comes 2022 and they shouldn’t be dictated on what to do.
“Mt Kenya people will be wise enough comes 2022, they will cast their votes wisely without being misled like what happens in past elections,” Thuo said.