Will
Raila pick Imanyara his running mate?
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Updated 1 hrs 58 mins
ago
By
Francis Ngige
Will Imenti Central MP
Gitobu Imanyara’s decision to support Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for
presidency herald a new beginning in central Kenya politics?
This is the question political
observers are asking about the region known for its rigid block-voting
patterns, alongside whether Imanyara will serve as Raila’s doorway to the Mt
Kenya vote basket.
The question is also being asked whether
Raila may, in fact, pick Imanyara, with whom they share strong reform credentials,
to be his running mate.
The significance of Imanyara’s move was given credence by the
respected Meru’s Njuri Ncheke Council of elders lobbying the PM to pick
Imanyara as his running mate. This, the council argues, would boost his chances
of getting a big chunk of the Meru vote.
Since the advent of multi-partism, the region has been known to
support one of their own for president and attempts by ‘outsiders’ to seek its
votes have not been quite successful.
But with Imanyara announcing he would campaign for Raila, it
appears the region’s traditional voting pattern would be tested, particularly
on whether he would succeed in cutting inroads for the PM.
In the past, associating yourself with a presidential aspirant
from outside the region attracted outright rejection from the Mt Kenya
electorate.
The situation appears to be changing, with Members of Parliament
such as Jeremiah Kioni and Nderitu Muriithi also flirting with Deputy Prime
Minister Musalia Mudavadi’s United Democratic Forum.
Although Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta is viewed as the de
facto leader of the region, other presidential aspirants are determined to get
their share of its vote.
Working relationship
The move by Imanyara, however, did not surprise since he has had a
good working relationship with Raila, even hosting him in the Meru region.
Unlike the Central Province bloc, where Uhuru enjoys unfettered
support, the Meru region has been slowly rebelling against him with some
leaders accusing the Kikuyu leaders of taking them for a ride.
Raila has been keen to woo the Ameru, establishing a good working
relationship with Imanyara, former MP Maoka Maore, and vocal political activist
Mpuru Aburi.
Unlike before when Raila received a hostile reception in Meru, the
last time out, he was warmly received during a tour of the region.
Imanyara successfully hosted him despite
initial apprehension about the tour following threats aimed at the Central
Imenti MP.
When he joined Friends of Raila (Fora) lobby group on Monday,
Imanyara was immediately handed the deputy patron slot, making him assume an
important position in Raila’s re-election drive.
The outspoken MP said he was supporting Raila for his consistent
reform credentials. “I’m glad to be part of the team that seeks to bring
various communities together for the advancement of our country,” said
Imanyara.
He added: “I believe that Kenya is ripe for
change. It is time for Kenyans to vote in people who would bring desired
change.”
On Wednesday, Aburi welcomed the move by Imanyara saying this
would strengthen the resolve to sell Raila’s bid in central Kenya. “It is a
welcome move and within a few days you will see that the Merus have changed and
would vote overwhelmingly for Raila,” he said.
He, however, noted that politicians seeking the votes from Meru
region had sidelined the people from Nyambene whom he said consisted of the
larger population.
“Apart from those seeking the presidency, the Nyambenes have
been forgotten by successive governments from that of Jomo Kenyatta. Even Raila
has gone for Imanyara who is from Imenti,” said Aburi.
But other MPs from the region have differed with Imanyara accusing
him of engaging in lone-ranger tactics. Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki
accused Imanyara of supporting Raila for his own personal gain. “There is
nothing like Raila following in Meru, Imanyara is warming up to the PM so that
he can be named his running mate,” claimed Mbiuki.
He said the only parties enjoying massive support in the region
are Uhuru’s The National Alliance and Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi’s
Alliance Party of Kenya.
“Any presidential hopeful is free to seek the Meru vote or any
other community’s, but I can tell you that the local people know who they would
support,” said Mbiuki.
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