In Kenya’s vote-rich Kikuyu group, opinion is sharply divided over outgoing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s transfer to again his one-time rival Raila Odinga, relatively than his deputy William Ruto, as his successor within the tightly-contested election set to happen on 9 August.
Mr Kenyatta – who has reached the constitutional restrict of two phrases in energy – was lengthy considered the group’s political kingpin, with its elders proudly referring to him as “our son”.
However through the BBC’s go to to Nyeri county – which lies within the Kikuyu heartland of Mount Kenya – it turned clear his credibility has taken a knock over his determination to endorse Mr Odinga in what he has portrayed as an try and forge nationwide unity after many years of political animosity.
Lawyer Wahome Gikonyo felt Mr Kenyatta had betrayed Mr Ruto, who had helped him win two elections in opposition to Mr Odinga.
“Ruto did the donkey work in 2013 and 2017. Have been it not for him Uhuru wouldn’t have change into president. Is that the way in which to repay a good friend?” Mr Gikonyo remarked, as he spoke to the BBC in his workplace within the county’s largest city, often known as Nyeri.
Some residents, like Pastor Hannah Kanyithere, felt Mr Kenyatta mustn’t have change into concerned within the battle over his successor.
“Why is the president taking sides on this election? Nonetheless dangerous his deputy was, he ought to have remained impartial,” he added.
However taxi driver Hassan Kahoro was equally passionate in his defence of Mr Kenyatta, suggesting that, with ethnicity being a significant fault-line in Kenyan politics, the time had come for the Luo group to supply its first president – Mr Odinga.
“We must always give the Luo group an opportunity to steer this nation. Who stated the presidency ought to belong to the Kikuyus and the Kalenjins?” Mr Kahoro stated, as he addressed a crowd gathered close to the principle market.
He was referring to the truth that of Kenya’s 4 presidents since independence, three have been Kikuyus. The late Daniel arap Moi – who was the longest-serving president, ruling for twenty-four years – was a Kalenjin, like Mr Ruto.
Welder Jackson Maina additionally expressed assist for Mr Kenyatta’s determination to again “Baba”, or ” Father” because the 77-year-old Mr Odinga is referred to by his supporters.
“We’re solidly behind the president and so we’re behind Baba,” he stated whereas standing exterior his makeshift workshop.
Nyeri city is adorned with big marketing campaign billboards, banners and posters as the overall election nears.
Songs in assist of each camps might be heard.
One music – by famend Kenyan musician Ben Githae – says that Kenya can be protected within the arms of Mr Odinga and his working mate Martha Karua – a former justice minister and a Kikuyu who’s considered a “daughter of the soil” of Mount Kenya.
One other music – by politician Betty Maina – urges individuals to end up to vote for Mr Ruto, who has chosen a Kikuyu businessman from Nyeri county, Rigathi Gachagua, as his working mate.
Though Mr Gachagua has been dogged by corruption allegations, he’s a powerful mobiliser and has the ear of struggling Kikuyus.
Ms Karua is a political icon past the Kikuyu – and is thought for her ardour for judicial reform and her robust stance in opposition to corruption in authorities.
But when the newest opinion ballot by analysis company Tifa is to be believed, neither she nor Mr Kenyatta have persuaded the vast majority of Kikuyus to vote for Mr Odinga. The ballot offers Mr Ruto a commanding lead in Mount Kenya – 66% to Mr Odinga’s 27%.
At a nationwide stage, the image is completely different, with the ballot placing Mr Odinga forward by the slim margin of 46.7% to 44.4% – not sufficient for him to safe the presidency, because the winner wants a majority of greater than 50% to keep away from a run-off.
So the 2 sides will make a giant push to draw swing voters within the last days of campaigning.
Mr Kenyatta’s determination to again Mr Odinga has not solely divided the Kikuyu group however his family.
His cousin Kungu Muigai instructed native media that the president went in opposition to the Kikuyu elders by dishonouring a 2013 pact, requiring the group to reciprocate by supporting a Kalenjin as soon as Mr Kenyatta’s two phrases ended.
The break up is lamented by older members of the Kikuyu group, like 100-year-old Nduhiu Njama, who welcomed us to his maisonette in Nyeri’s Tetu space.
“We bought independence by being united. What we’re seeing presently is individualism that may price us,” he stated whereas exhibiting off pictures from his previous.
The Kikuyu persons are primarily farmers. Tea and low plantations, in addition to dairy farms, stretch throughout Mount Kenya.
Roads in rural areas are properly tarmacked making it simpler for farmers to move their produce.
The BBC visited farmers close to Othaya city, which was residence to late President Mwai Kibaki.
Whereas giving feed to his dairy cows, George Wambugu stated he was supporting Mr Ruto.
“Ruto is a farmer like myself and when he was the minister for agriculture he introduced reforms that noticed tea farmers get the best bonus ever. I do know he’ll enhance the agriculture sector,” the 40-year-old father of three stated, expressing a view that was shared by many farmers.
However some refused to precise a desire – not shocking as the controversy has been deeply polarising.
“We simply need extra assist like manure and fertiliser from the federal government to enhance our espresso manufacturing,” stated mom of 4, Mercy Muthoni, as she picked espresso from her 80 bushes.
Whereas Othaya farmers’ affiliation chairperson Gathua Nderitu stated he had no favorite on this election.
“I actually do not care who turns into president after 9 August, I simply need higher insurance policies that may enable espresso farming to thrive,” he instructed the BBC.
Click on right here to see the BBC interactive
