This archive report was first published on 11 June 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's Mt Kenya stronghold has been a subject of concern in recent times, but the president is slowly regaining lost ground in the region. His strategy, however, is not what one would expect.
After his historic handshake with Raila Odinga in 2018, Uhuru faced unprecedented rebellion from Mt Kenya MPs who accused him of betraying Deputy President William Ruto. But instead of directly addressing the concerns of the MPs, Uhuru has chosen to use Raila as a mediator to win them back.
According to a report in The Standard on June 11, 2020, Laikipia Woman Representative Catherine Waruguru and Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere, both Ruto supporters, have pledged allegiance to the Raila-Uhuru power axis. Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina also joined them in pledging support to the duo.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's choice of Raila Odinga to help him reclaim Mt Kenya was a strategic move, as he could not directly approach the MPs or allow them to State House. The ODM leader has been the subject of Tanga Tanga attacks, but having the same MPs rushing to him is a huge plus for Raila and Uhuru.
“We will get all these fellows behind the president in a matter of days. It is no longer a question of if but when. Some of them are beginning to confess how they were misled but we have no problem allowing them back into the fold,” said Muranga Senator and new Jubilee Majority Whip Irungu Kangata.
