Kibaki tells off Jirongo over ‘project’ talk

State House has rebuked an MP over claims that it is sponsoring several political parties to manipulate President Kibaki’s succession race.

Mr Cyrus Jirongo, a statement from the Presidential Press Service said, “should be telling Kenyans what he will do to transform their lives, not yapping ‘State House, State House’ every time he opens his mouth”.

It described the Lugari MP’s statements as careless and irresponsible, dismissing him as a “political activist whose political and business history is very well known to the Kenyan public”.

The latter was in reference to the notoriety Mr Jirongo gained as a moneyed campaigner for President Moi through the Youth for Kanu ‘92 outfit ahead of the 1992 General Election.

The President was responding to a series of public claims by Mr Jirongo that the United Democratic Forum (UDF) of Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and the United Republican Party (URP) of Eldoret North MP William Ruto were among parties sponsored by State House.

Mr Jirongo has also posted on his Twitter and YouTube pages videos of him making the allegations at a public function where Mr Mudavadi was present.

“We are aware that the government is sponsoring six political parties to field presidential candidates to divide communities with large number of voters for their selfish gains,” he said at the weekend in Busia.

He claimed that Mr Mudavadi and Mr Ruto would divide the vote so that Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta can succeed President Kibaki.

The two leaders have denied the allegations, accusing the Lugari MP of engaging in a propaganda war against their presidential ambitions.

Mr Jirongo, ironically, enlisted in URP jointly with Mr Ruto as both cut links with the parties that sponsored them to Parliament, Kaddu and ODM respectively.

The Lugari MP was also a declared presidential aspirant against Mr Ruto for the URP ticket, but now appears bent on going his own way.

He said he had parted ways with Mr Ruto over the State House links.

“I cannot be a part of parties and individuals whose drive for the presidency is motivated by the amount of money they get,” he said.

Contacted about the scathing State House statement, Mr Jirongo turned philosophical, quoting Buddhism founder Gautama Buddha: “Gautama said there are things which cannot be hidden —the sun, the moon, and the truth. I leave it there,” he said.

The statement came a day after Mr Kenyatta denied separate claims that he would abandon his presidential bid for Mr Mudavadi.

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto are facing trial at the International Criminal Court over the post-election violence, raising questions over whether they will be on the presidential election ballot.

On Tuesday, Mr Mudavadi campaigned in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet county, and Kabarnet Town.

“I am confident of winning this race in the first round and we cannot even think of going for the expensive round two,” he said.

The DPM told off those calling him a ‘project’, saying, he had every right to work with everyone.

“Does teaming up with like-minded parties like URP and TNA amount to being a project? It’s high time we engaged in issue-based politics instead of empty rhetoric,” the Sabatia MP said.

He claimed some MPs from Western had remained in ODM to sabotage him.

“They are now being used by ODM to scuttle my presidential bid, but I can promise them that their evil plans will not see the light of the day,” Mr Mudavadi said.

He was accompanied by MPs Boni Khalwale (Ikolomani]), Justus Kizito (Shinyalu) and former Trade Minister Mukhisa Kituyi.

Elsewhere, the Wiper Democratic Movement on Tuesday unveiled a team to lead it into an alliance with other parties.

It is led by acting chairman Lucas Maitha and comprises secretary-general Mutula Kilonzo, Nominated MP Mohammed Affey, Defence Assistant minister David Musila and party official Jennifer Masis.

“We mandated the VP with the Maanzoni Declaration in Machakos last December that he was free to seek alliances with like-minded parties. But these alliance talks must be structured and hence the team we unveiled today,” Mr Kilonzo said.

Mr Maitha, a former Malindi MP, said all those aspiring to vie for seats on the party’s ticket would meet in Nairobi on July 4 to discuss the manifesto.

“We need to be clear on what we stand for,” Mr Maitha said.

Mr Musyoka is in the loose G7 Alliance with Mr Kenyatta, Justice minister Eugene Wamwalwa and Mr Ruto.

In Nairobi, the Orange party postponed a national executive council and parliamentary group meeting scheduled for Wednesday.

Party secretary-general Anyang’ Nyong’o said they will reconvene the meeting after Parliament is adjourned to roll out the campaign programme. (READ: Jirongo tears into Mudavadi, Ruto candidacy)