Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi’s Line-up that Might Alter Kenya’s Political Scene

The season of political alliances is in the offing. Days after the launch of Okoa Kenya Alliance, another alliance is brewing up. In the new arrangement, Deputy President William Ruto is still being isolated, though he still possesses some comparative advantage over his perceived competitors.

The meeting that was held on Tuesday and attended by former UNCTAD Secretary General Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, Siaya Senator James Orengo, governors Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni), Charity Ngilu (Kitui), Amason Kingi (Kilifi) and Mohammed Kuti (Isiolo) was an indication of another looming political outfit.

According to a report published by The Standard, the meeting was to be attended by National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i. However, they declined to attend and sought apology because they are public servants and it would have been out of order if they were to take sides.

Kituyi, Mutua, Kingi and Kibwana have already declared interest for presidency. The meeting occurred days after ODM leader Raila Odinga met some of the members, who included Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Kilifi’s Amason Kingi and Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, at his Karen home.

Dr. Mukhisa Kituyi, who recently resigned from a lucrative position in the UN, has consistently made it apparently known that he is in the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta. In February, the former Trade and Industry Minister officially declared his 2022 presidential bid.

He then traversed his Western backyard, after which he retreated at his Mbakalo rural home, in Tongaren constituency, where he sought blessings for his presidential expedition. On February 18, Dr. Kituyi held talks with Raila, Orengo and Kibwana at Serena Hotel.

The new political arrangement, juxtaposed to the one dubbed as One Kenya Alliance will redefine Uhuru’s succession. One Kenya Alliance was formed by ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetangula, Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka and KANU’s Gideon Moi.

Last Saturday One Kenya Alliance senior-most members met at the home of Moses Wetangula in Karen. According to media reports, they agreed to expand their outfit. The meeting was convened after revelations that Raila had not submitted his name for the nomination as ODM’s flagbearer.

At the close of March 31 deadline, only Mombasa governor Ali Hassan Joho and his Kakamega counterpart Wycliffe Oparanya had submitted their names for nomination to be ODM presidential flagbear.

On April 1, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna tried to play prank with the media when he posted that Raila was among those who had submitted his name to the Party’s National Board (NEB) to be considered for nomination.

Later on, he revealed that Mr Odinga had not yet submitted his name for consideration as Party’s presidential flagbearer. ODM Chairman John Mbadi disparaged Sifuna’s claims, insisting that the Party Leader was to declare his political stand after the BBI plebiscite.