Divisions peak in President’s backyard as local leaders snub Ruto event twice

Kenya: For the second time now, Deputy President William Ruto has been caught in the crossfire of political differences among MPs in Central Kenya.

Either by coincidence or design, Ruto has attended two functions in the largely Jubilee stronghold which have been boycotted by MPs, not because of his presence, but because of political differences between the hosts and their peers.

However, some observers say TNA MPs could be sending coded messages to Ruto that all is not well and that his position of Deputy President does not mean much to them, politically.

An embarrassing scenario played out last weekend when Ruto was in President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Gatundu South backyard. Ruto was hosted at Gathiriga AIC church in Gatundu by local MP Moses Kuria. The event was boycotted by 13 MPs from Kiambu County.

Kiambu County Senator Kimani Wamatangi attended the function while Kigo Njenga of Gatundu North arrived towards the end of the event.

Kuria is yet to establish a good rapport with local MPs, some who had campaigned against him before he pulled a rug under their feet and captured the seat after his strongest opponent Joachim Kamere to promote party unity.

Although the MPs are denying they boycotted the function, insisting that it was due to short notice, sources say that Kuria is yet to mend fences with the other legislators and thus the snub.

It was the second time Ruto was coming face to face with political intrigues in Central Kenya, having witnessed the same scenario play out in Murang’a County during the home-coming of Women Representative Sabina Chege. Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, Clement Wambugu (Mathioya), Nyingi Ngahu (Kangema) and Kandara’s Alice Wahome snubbed the thanksgiving ceremony.

Sources claim the MPs boycotted the event despite having been invited because they felt undermined. But the MPs denied this and insisted that they had other engagements.

What has baffled political observers, however, is not the differences between the local MPs but the fact that the DP’s presence was casually overlooked. Being Uhuru’s deputy, Ruto is expected to draw both friends and foes in Central but from the two incidents, it is clear his presence has  made little difference.

Political analyst Wahome Gikonyo says the two incidents have laid bare the “petty political turf wars among some of these MPs.”

Local wars

“These are most unfortunate incidents that have exposed the bad side of the local politics. Some of them want their egos to be pampered, forgetting that the DP’s presence is for the posterity of the region,” said Wahome, a lawyer.

He dispelled the notion that Ruto lacks the national appeal to bring together feuding parties to a point that they boycott his functions. “That is far-fetched. The DP enjoys a near fanatical support in Central and is respected by local leaders going by their public pronouncements. The problem is with the local leaders who wash their dirty linen in public,” Wahome says.

It was a truly humbling moment for Kuria when the MPs gave the high-profile function in his home turf a wide berth.

The first-time lawmaker, who a few months ago faced stiff opposition in his bid to capture the parliamentary seat in a by-election, is yet to sit pretty and celebrate despite making it to Parliament.

During the campaigns, all the 13 Kiambu MPs save for Kiambu Women Rep Ann Nyokabi and Juja’s Francis Waititu refused to endorse Kuria’s candidature even though he was vying on a TNA ticket.

MPs who did not attend Ruto’s function at Gathiriga AIC church said they missed out due to the short notice given.

“Though I made it to the fundraiser, the notice was impractical. It was too short. In events that are normally graced by the President or his Deputy, we are usually prepared for one or two months before,” said Kigo, who arrived at the event late.

Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, a perceived Ruto ally, said she was notified of the fundraiser on Friday, when it was too late. The MP said she already had a fundraiser in her constituency which had been arranged earlier. “The only problem was the short notice. A colleague is a colleague, and we cannot fail to support him,” said Ng’ang’a.

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungw’a insisted that Kiambu lawmakers did not boycott the function.

Sharp split

“Kiambu MPs can never boycott a function presided over by the President or his deputy. We have tremendous respect for the two,” Ichungw’a said.

The MPs downplayed claims of differences between them and Kuria, and insisted that they had nothing personal against him. “Kuria is one of us and we cannot sideline him for whatsoever reason. We do not in any way have a problem with him. We actually work quite well with him in Parliament,” said Ichungw’a.