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Nairobi — It was billed as a simple fundraising event for squatters evicted from the Mau Forest, but the loaded political speeches pointed to a new political grouping united by a common antipathy towards Prime Minister Raila Odinga.Key participants were Agriculture minister William Ruto and the chief guest, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, reflecting a regrouping of the Kanu leadership brought to the fore ahead of the 2002 elections.Another key Kanu leader of the time, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, was expected to put in an appearance but sent his apologies, a donation of Sh100,000 and words of support.The three make up the so-called 3Ks, the mooted Kalenjin-Kikuyu-Kamba alliance seen by its promoters as the best way to stop Mr Odinga in his tracks come 2012.Mr Ruto, an ODM deputy leader, has been openly at odds with his party boss over the Mau evictions and a host of other issues ranging from public service appointments to proposals that key perpetrators of the post-election violence be tried, whether by a local tribunal or the International Criminal Court.
On Wednesday evening, the Eldoret North MP demonstrated his political clout by assembling 10 ministers and more than 50 MPs from across the political divide to launch broadsides at Mr Odinga.The powerful line-up at the Panafric Hotel raised Sh5 million, but the speeches made it apparent that the agenda was not so much the plight of the Mau evictees but the opportunity to hit out at Mr Odinga, who was variously labelled as dictatorial, dishonest and trouble-maker unfit to lead the country.A day before the event, it was rumoured that Mr Odinga had held a meeting with President Kibaki and asked him to prevail on Mr Musyoka and Mr Kenyatta not to attend as this would indicate a divided government. The latter’s entry was greeted by loud cheers.
Perhaps owing to the heat generated by the events of Wednesday night, ODM’s National Executive Council meeting destined for yesterday was called off at the eleventh hour. The timing was bad and it was reportedly feared the Raila-Ruto cracks would have exploded at the meeting, where party functionaries were to discuss the draft constitutionODM’s secretariat later explained move was due to requests by Muslim faithful who wanted to travel to their rural homes to join family during today’s Idd-ul-Hajj celebrations.Most speakers heaped praise on the triple “K” (Kalenjin, Kikuyu and Kamba) political alliance.Hard positions were taken at the function presided over by Uhuru.And as if to confirm he had been subjected to pressure from high office to skip the function touted as a means to painting Government negatively, the DPM reminded his audience that anybody opposed the harambee spirit was insincere and selfish.
Uhuru conceded he had been under pressure to skip the function “because majority of our people (Kikuyu) were uprooted from their homes during post-election violence and are yet to be resettled”.But even as the leaders rooted for the triple ‘K’ alliance, some MPs from Central castigated Uhuru for attending the fundraiser.Mr Mbau claimed Uhuru was attempting to enter into an alliance with the Kalenjin and Kamba without the blessing of Central Kenya people.”Uhuru should know that while Ruto commands the Rift Valley Province and Kalonzo the Kamba, he has no following in Central,” said Mbau.He said Uhuru had failed in uniting his people and yet “he is purporting to be their de facto leader”.
One can only Hope that Uhuru was at the Harambee in his personal capacity and not as the de facto leader of Central Kenya .The people love him but they hate presumption.Not Yet Uhuru!!!
Justin Mwangi
