Only those in serious political denial will not concur with the above suggestion.
Firstly, no region is constitutionally barred to do so. Secondly, no person meeting the qualifications is barred by the constitution and electoral rules to do the same.
Thirdly, no legally registered political party can be denied an opportunity to field a candidate for the top post in this country unless such a party fails to meet the required electoral requirements.
Prouncements by certain leaders hailing or having lineage in Mt Kenya that the region should not field a candidate but support an outsider in 2022 should be taken with a pinch of salt.
Those in favour of this idea claim that the mountain should throw its weight behind Deputy President Dr William Ruto.
Their suggestion is fueled by a naive belief that such support will automatically enable Ruto to take over the leadership of this country.
This is the same group that is wasting no time to announce to all and sundry that President Uhuru Kenyatta will have no influence on who succeeds him.
On the other hand, there are leaders from the region with contrary opinion. This group of leaders reason that Mt Kenya should not only field a candidate in 2022, but should do so via a strong regional party.
The leaders in this group are not blinded by numbers nor are they dismissive of Uhuru’s vital role in his succession. It is also the group that has not lost hope on the BBI Bill and Referendum.
The current clamour to form a regional political party is raising eyeblows within and outside the Mountain region. This is because currently, the region is membership to Jubilee Party, which is heading the government with Uhuru Kenyatta as its leader.
Logically, any intention to form such a political party would presuppose that Jubilee Party’s lifespan in Mt Kenya ends with Uhuru’s term as President.
Curiously, Uhuru and Jubilee Party are yet to react to this clamour in the Mountain.
That as it may, it is obvious that Mt Kenya is headed for a major split as pro and anti-Uhuru succession agenda groups go for each others’ throats.
As I write, apart from Kieleweke and Tangatanga, a group headed by the Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi has appeared in the scene.
Kieleweke and Muturi group support Uhuru Kenyatta, while Tangatanga DP William Ruto.
The heart of the matter is that these groups are eyeing millions of votes that Mt Kenya commands in the voter register.
For Tangatanga group, it is these votes that it has confidence will propel Ruto to the top leadership of this country.
Unlike Tangatanga, the other two groups are convinced that although Mt Kenya has vote numbers, it cannot produce a top leader without support from other regions. The leaders are also convinced that the country will hold elections under an amended constitution in 2022.
Nonetheless, whether the country will hold 2022 election under the current presidential or proposed parliamentary system in the BBI Bill, the fact is political party coalitions will determine who wins the top leadership/s of this country.
Taking these observations into account, there is absolutely no reason why Mt Kenya should not lay a claim to such coveted position(s).
It would be simplistic to argue that because the mountain has produced two Presidents in the last 20 years, it should forfeit an opportunity to go at it again and again.
It is equally politically risky for Mt Kenya not to do so because such a move would completely undermine the Mountain’s bargaining power at any level of political negotiations.
Whatever the case, Mt Kenya has no option but to play first among equals as far as 2022 election is concerned.
Playing second fiddle as Tangatanga is preaching is tantamount to commiting political and leadership suicide.
From where I sit, Mt Kenya has to first of all deal with emerging political differences then forge a united front and face the bull by its horn or risk being rendered politically irrelevant in 2022.
Mt Kenya’s role in this country’s leadership and political equation is undeniably crucial to peace and unity.
The Mountain’s current divisions may after all be a blessing in diguise- a rumble before a major political volcano.
Make no mistake, Mt Kenya will field a candidate(s) for the top seat(s) whether Kenya goes presidential or parliamentary system in 2022.
You can take this cheque to the nearest bank and it won’t bounce!
Kaunda wa Muchunku
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