Former Starehe Member of Parliament Maina Kamanda’s shocked mourners during the burial of Kikuyu legendary musician Joseph Kamaru during his speech where he made it clear to Kikuyus are not for sale politically.
His speech brought forth one of the most heated debate that has been going on about the 2022 political succession after the exit of President Uhuru Kenyatta from the political scene.
In his speech he said, “We as Kikuyu do not have another leader or spokesman except President Kenyatta. Even after five years into your retirement Mr President, you will still be our spokesman. Some people (read Kikuyu MPs) should stop taking Kikuyus for granted. Kikuyus will not to be taken to market place to be sold like commodities.”
In addition, the former legislator said, he said has cooled off the fights between Kikuyus and Luos.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria in his characteristic self-went for the jugular when asked about the remarks made by Mr Kamanda.
“I am not aware of a market place, neither a seller, nor a buyer, nor a transaction price for Kikuyus. I am equally surprised to learn that there has been a fight between Kikuyus and Luos. What we have had are candidates from Luo and Kikuyu communities. Some have won and some have lost. Losing an election is not a national crisis to warrant constitutional change,” he said.
Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah laughed off at Mr Kamanda’s remarks.
“If Kamanda has been selling Kikuyus in some market then it is good to know he has come to the realisation that people are not for sale. The Kikuyu nation is, however, one of enterprising people who respect and honour hard work and have a dislike for opportunists,” he said.
The president has between in support of Mr. Ruto as his successor after his term is over he even went ahead to publicily say it in Mt Kenya region and other parts of the country.
He even at one time stated that Jubilee would be in power for 20 years with him doing 10 years and Mr Ruto going for another 10, drawing the ire of the opposition.
Since he was sworn in for second term, the President is yet to repeat the succession remark he often uttered in his first term.
His appearances with Mr Ruto have been fewer and far between.
Instead, Mr Kenyatta extols the March 9 handshake he had with opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Mr Kenyatta is credited to having said that Mr Ruto is well known for “kutangatanga’ (moving aimlessly), a remark that the latter took in his stride.
To his credit, Mr Ruto has not shown any signs of strain in their relationship despite Mr Kenyatta’s loud signals.
Mr Ruto has instead been making numerous trips to central Kenya where he has point men in every county.
These point men have in the past stated that they are under immense pressure from unmanned people to stop associating themselves with Mr Ruto.
Politically, Mr Kenyatta and Mr Odinga have been reading from the same script and Mt Kenya leaders have been wondering whether the President also supports the call for a referendum, just like his new-found political friend.
Most MPs from central have been aligning their political message with that of Mr Ruto to the chagrin of close friends of Mr Kenyatta.