Is Gideon Uhuru’s new ‘Mr Fix It’ in 2022 Azimio power deal?
Baringo Senator Gideon Moi has positioned himself for a prominent role in the national political scene after dropping his interest in the county seat he has occupied for close to 10 years.
With the hunger for Baringo political affairs waning, the Kanu leader has trained his eyes on bigger things that could - should the Azimio La Umoja coalition headed by former Prime Minister come with the next government if he plays his cards well.
So far, he has placed himself within One Kenya Alliance that brings together Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua (Narc-K) and Cyrus Jirongo (UDP).
OKA has entered into a pre-election deal with Azimio La Umoja movement led by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila, which will see the alliance fully supporting the latter’s presidential bid.
In OKA, Gideon has emerged as the face of tough choices and when Kalonzo, the de-facto leader of the alliance, appeared uncertain of what he wanted before the Azimio deal, the Kanu boss came out strongly against any attempts to scuttle their coalition, making it clear they would not negotiate with Kenya Kwanza Alliance led by Deputy President William Ruto.
Strongly considered
His decisiveness appears to have nudged him ahead of the pack in the quest for Raila’s running-mate within OKA with rumours swirling around he could be among those strongly considered for the position.
Yesterday, Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat did not rule out the possibility of Gideon becoming Raila’s running-mate, saying they will take with both hands the position if they were offered although he said there was nothing on the table yet.
“We would welcome if chairman (Gideon) was offered the running mate position in Azimio but you have seen Kalonzo has said he is also interested if he was to be picked. Karua’s supporters are equally asking for the same,” Salat told People Daily.
Raila and Uhuru are said to be hunting for a running-mate, who could boost the former’s candidature without causing unease within the young coalition.
Claims also abound that Gideon delivered Kalonzo to Azimio after weeks marred by indecision, threats and lukewarm attitude towards Azimio but Salat played down the Baringo senator’s role.
“It was teamwork. It was not done by a single person,” Salat said.
Growing influence
The claims were given credence when Gideon appeared prominently during President Uhuru’s visit to Kalonzo at his home in Karen, Nairobi last Friday, further oiling the senator’s growing influence in Uhuru’s succession quest.
After the meeting in Karen, Gideon acknowledged he was in the thick of the succession contest, saying the main purpose was to form a formidable team to take on their competitors. “We are forging a broad-based coalition that will leave no one behind in its quest to build a united and prosperous nation,” he said after the meeting at Kalonzo’s home in Karen.
Senator has often faced accusations of being aloof to the local politics but after Uhuru fell out with his deputy, he has risen in stature within the ruling administration enabling him to play a more conspicuous role in the succession politics.
With the government’s backing, Gideon has also developed more grit and strength to face critics and those threatening to derail him.
Local politics
For instance, when shove came to push, Gideon, through his trusted lieutenant Salat, issued a stinging warning to Kalonzo not to take the alliance in rounds during the OKA talks, saying Kanu’s patience was running out.
“According to the majority of Kanu’s rank and file “we cannot consult and negotiate endlessly! Time is running out! Other serious parties and political formations have already made their stand known about where in the current political matrix they fall,” Salat said in a statement. He added:
“But Kanu is being held back by a partner in OKA who has suddenly pulled out a “love letter ” with a previous suitor and is busy whining and grumbling over unfulfilled promises by the ex-lover. Kanu was not part of the love letter and we should not be held at ransom by the OKA partner who has refused to get over their ex!”
It was not long after this that Kalonzo agreed to sign a deal to support Raila’s candidature for the third time after doing so in 2013 and 2017.
Gideon also recently accompanied Kalonzo to Uganda for the South Sudan peace talks hosted by President Yoweri Museveni, indicating his strengthening status within the Jubilee administration. Uhuru appointed Kalonzo the country’s peace envoy to South Sudan in 2018.
Although it was not clear which capacity the Senator attended the talks, Kalonzo appreciated his presence, the OKA co-principal he has nurtured some noticeable bromance with lately.
