Uhuru secret team to fix succession by 2022
Eager not to fall into the same trap as that of his mentor Daniel Moi and predecessor Mwai Kibaki where their preferred presidential candidates were beaten hands down, Uhuru Kenyatta has formed a special team to advise him on his succession.
The special team comprises Director General of the National Intelligence Service, Phillip Kamweru, president’s kid brother Muhoho Kenyatta, his uncle George Muhoho, Interior principal secretary Karanja Kibicho, former Kenya Defence Forces chief Julius Karangi and former presidential adviser Nancy Gitau.
Uhuru’s mother, Mama Ngina, is also joining the team whenever they have a burning issue to discuss. First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and Uhuru political buddy David Murathe, are also in the loop. Unconfirmed reports have it that ODM leader Raila Odinga is also in the team. Those claiming Raila is a key player cite functions influential people surrounding Uhuru have attended in Luo Nyanza.
Raila recently was at a function with uncle Muhoho who is Mama Ngina’s brother. Raila has also hosted at his Bondo home, bro Muhoho the financial key holder of the purse. The former PM who has unlimited access to State House and has held talks with Uhuru in Kisumu while enjoying hard drinks and food, sidelining their security details.
It is this team that has advised the president to reach out to all the political leaders across the poltical divide as he strives to realise his Big Four Agenda.
The succession team has earmarked key political influencers to be reached out. Among them are party leaders, trade unionists, church leaders, business associations and powerful women leaders.
Already Musalia Mudavadi, Kalonzo Musyoka, Gideon Moi are in talks with State House. Uhuru during the launch of Huduma registration assigned Raila, Mudavadi and Kalonzo state duties that saw his bitter deputy William Ruto skip the function. Powerful governors who can influence regional politics are also to be accommodated. Of great influence is Mombasa governor Hassan Joho and his Makueni counterpart Kivutha Kibwana.
Where leadership vacuum exists, a new centre of power is to be created. A case is Gusii land where the Internal Security cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i factor is emerging to replace aged Simeon Nyachae.
Since Matiang’i was named super minister, the regional politics that was favouring Ruto has significantly shifted.
Within the trade unions, the team has set eyes on Cotu secretary general Francis Atwoli more so, after he managed to control and bring back splinter unions back to the umbrella body. Knut, Dockworkers Union, Civil Servants Union had broken ranks with Cotu at the instigation of powerful forces in Jubilee administration.
They have all trooped back to Cotu after failing to outsmart the seasoned and internationally recognised trade unionists.
Infact, insiders say that Uhuru and Raila handlers were surprised when Atwoli out of the blue started to push for referendum ahead of 2022, a move that has gained momentum across board. In Luhyaland, Atwoli is pushing for the community’s unity.
Another key player in the advisory team is reaching to is Richard Ngatia the president of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry whom they hope to use to mobilise backing from traders locally and internationally.
The succession team is also reaching out to women leaders under Embrace Alliance that has powerful connections within the corridors of power.
Surprisingly, the team has sidelined pro-Ruto Inua Wamama Initiative and the deputy president wife Rachel’s Table Banking Initiative. Rachel of late has been missing in action with her table banking idea struggling to survive ever since the state ordered parsastatal bosses not to donate funds towards its operations.
Others say that Ruto’s decision to reach out Uhuru and Raila is upon discovery a plot has been hatched to isolate him not only in national politics but also in own Kalenjin backyard by Uhuru secret succession team.
During the burial of Joyce Laboso, Ruto declared support of the handshake. The DP is also said to have discovered that the state had planted spies around him to be used to mess his 2022 presidential bid especially, after the assassination claims.
In Rift Valley Kalenjinland, new faces are emerging in Chama Cha Mashimani of Isaac Ruto, David Langat, Bundotich Buzeki and the versatile Zakayo Cheruyoit.
The idea is to join Gideon’s Kanu to tame Ruto in the region. Aware of the move, the DP strategists have planned a number of events in the region to consolidate his power that is under threat as rebel governors, senators and MPs have of late been openly hitting at the second in command.
Whereas the embrace outfit had an opportunity to give views at Building Bridges Initiative, pro-Ruto women skipped the event. Information we have is the Uhuru’s secret succession advisory team was behind the embrace team presentation.
The embrace team had who is who in the Kenyan women laedership while at BBI. They were led by governors Charity Ngilu, Anne Waiguru, Rachael Shebesh, Gladys Wanga, octogenerian Nyiva Mwendwa, Zipporah Kittony and Sabina Chege among others.
With funding from State House, the embrace outfit called for expanded executive and more seats for women.
The succession team has told Uhuru not to openly back any aspirant at the moment, but to give all an equal chance to sell themselves to the masses.
They have recommended to the president that he adopts the Building Bridges Initiative report that will call for expansion of the executive so as to accommodate political heavyweights across the country in the next government.
The BBI, which is the brainchild of Uhuru and ODM leader Raila Odinga, is finetuning its report before handing it to the appointing authority for implementation.
The report, according to insiders, proposes the creation of a premier, two deputy premiers and two vice presidents.
Insiders add that the team has also advised the president to ensure the budget for the referendum is factored in the next financial year.
After the referendum, Uhuru will reorganise his government where all the ethnic chiefs will be accommodated as he seeks to cement a legacy of a united Kenya.
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