Kenya: What Moi-Kibaki Alliance Means

East African Standard (Nairobi)

29 August 2007
Posted to the web 28 August 2007

Martin Mutua
Nairobi

Former President Daniel Moi has endorsed Mr Mwai Kibaki for a second term in State House. Mr Moi confirmed what had become increasingly evident - his preference for the Othaya MP.

Moi, who ruled for 24 years, said that after a careful assessment, he was convinced Kibaki ought to be given a chance to complete the constitutionally accepted two-term tenure.

The momentous declaration - which though expected sent shockwaves within the political arena on Tuesday - is likely to touch off a possible tide of realignments.

But Moi's declaration immediately sparked off a barrage of criticism, largely from the Orange Democratic Movement, and infuriated a potentially important ally in the Kibaki comeback plan, Kaddu's Mr Cyrus Jirongo.

But for others, however, they saw a boost for the President's re-election drive, especially in the Rift Valley, which has lately been the stomping ground for ODM.

ODM presidential aspirants dismissed as tribalists

Addressing a press conference at his Kabarnet Gardens in Nairobi, Moi suggested that the younger generation was not embracing nationalistic ideals. Instead, he saw them as being driven by narrow interests.

"That is why you have heard them splitting from one to two and they will continue splitting and in the end there will be nothing zero!," he added.

Dismissing ODM presidential aspirants as tribalists, Moi said none of them had spelt their development agenda through a manifesto on what they intended to do for instance in health, education among others.

"All one hears is high-sounding rhetoric, giving false hopes to the people as if a politician can develop the country in exclusion of individual participation and hard work of every Kenyan. While imagination and creativity are in order, pragmatism is a must," he added.

In ODM Mr Raila Odinga, Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Mr William Ruto, Mr Najib Balala and Mr Joseph Nyagah will face it off at a special party National Delegates Conference on Saturday that is expected to pick ODM's presidential flag bearer.

This will be a day after ODM-Kenya, which has Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, Dr Julia Ojiambo and Ms Nazlin Umar, will have picked its own candidate.

Kanu appeared to distance itself from declaration

On Tuesday, Moi said having been the Kenyan President and symbol of nationhood for over 24 years, it would be inappropriate for him to support any brand of politics that is not nationalistic in outlook and committed.

"My reason for this decision is that President Kibaki, by virtue of his office as Head of State is a symbol of nationhood," he said.

The Independence party, Kanu, whose stewardship Moi ensured went to Gatundu South MP Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, in 2002, however, appeared to distance itself from the declaration.

Uhuru instead said Kanu had structures that had the mandate to deliberate and agree on such weighty matters before going public.

Moi's pronouncement also came a day after a major political meeting spearheaded by Cabinet minister Kipruto Kirwa and Keiyo South MP Mr Nicholas Biwott and which 17 MPs from Rift Valley attended in Naivasha.

Moi went on to declare that he would shortly hit the road to campaign for the re-election of President Kibaki, saying that since his retirement from the presidency in 2002 he has keenly been observing the trend of Kenya's politics and the disposition of its players. He, however, asserted that he would remain an active and staunch member of Kanu.