War of words rages among Kibaki allies over succession

By Standard Team

The succession war among President Kibaki’s allies burst out in the open at the weekend as politicians from central Kenya waged a veiled attack against Cabinet Minister Martha Karua.

Several MPs, including Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi, spoke strongly for the strengthening of PNU – which Karua has opposed – despite Kibaki previously beseeching the constituent parties to stay together.

Government Chief Whip George Thuo, in a veiled reference to Karua’s campaign to succeed Kibaki, repeated the President’s words that the seat was not vacant.

However, speaking in her Gichugu constituency, Karua said she would not waver on her resolve to lead Kenyans. She said it was her democratic right to declare interest in the leadership of the country.

“What I have simply given is a statement of intent that come the time, I will be in the ring. For now, I cannot mount a campaign since there is an incumbent.”

Dismissed critics

She said there was no agreed time when one should declare interest.

“We are not waiting for any bell to be rang to announce the right time to declare our interests,” she said, dismissing her critics who accuse her of starting early presidential campaign.

She was speaking at Kianyaga Stadium during a thanksgiving ceremony. About 14 MPs attended.

The minister also hit out at those claiming to be giving a position for central Kenya, saying the region’s leaders had never met to outline its political path.

“Under which tree did they sit to give a declaration?” she posed.

She added that Narc-Kenya would be strengthened and hoped Kibaki would accept her democratic right and that of the party members.

Several speakers said they would stand by the party.

They included Cabinet Minister Mohammed Kuti and five Assistant ministers Dick Wathika, Danson Mungatana, Asman Kamama, Katoo ole Metito and Abu Chiaba.

Thuo spoke in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, who said PNU should remain together if it hoped to capture power in 2012. Splinter parties within PNU had no chance on their own, Uhuru said.

Speaking in Nyeri, Thuo said it was too early to scramble for top seats, and urged a local politician he did not name to stop campaigning.

He spoke at a fundraising for Kiamuiru Catholic Church in Nyeri, where Uhuru was a guest.

Others present were local MP and Gender and Children’s Affairs Minister Esther Murugi and Kigumo MP Jamlek Mwangi, who also urged for unity and strengthening of PNU.

Karua, who has declared her presidential ambitions for 2012, has told politicians interested succeeding Kibaki to declare their ambitions. The Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister, who is also the Narc-Kenya chairperson, declared the party would stand on its own.

She has earned the wrath of area politicians who accuse her of defying Kibaki’s call for PNU constituent parties to dissolve.

But in a recent visit to Nyeri, Kibaki said his seat was not vacant and asked politicians to stop campaigning.

On Sunday, Uhuru said: “Right now, we have a president and he has four more years to go. What else are we looking for?”

On Saturday, Murungi said PNU must be strengthened and accused some politicians of being greedy for power.

But a cross-section of leaders from the area has opposed President Kibaki’s call for the strengthening of PNU, saying their parties would remain intact.

Courtesy of;http://www.eastandard.net/InsidePage.php?id=1143991645&cid=4&