President Uhuru Kenyatta's visit to his Central Kenya backyard has exposed how politicians from the region are deeply divided.
Ahead of his tour of Nyeri, the leader of the President's reelection campaign in the region Ephraim Maina has warned independent candidates and those from parties allied to Jubilee not to attend the president's rallies in the county.
He disclosed that independent candidates and those from “friendly” political parties were not welcome at the event as “their appearance can cause fracas and that is (disrespectful) to the Presidency.”
Maina, who is the Jubilee candidate for the Nyeri senatorial seat, stated that the President's rallies are a matter of his Jubilee Party and the presence of Independent Candidates who resigned from the party after nominations could lead to chaos.
“The President is doing politics for his party and for his candidates because he wants to have a majority in both houses of parliament if he wins. Therefore the opposing parties should not interfere,” he stated.
"They must keep off because President Kenyatta’s political rallies are issues of his Jubilee Party and that must be understood by all other candidates though they are supporting his re-election."
The president's tour of Murang'a yesterday was also characterised by ugly scenes that saw some politicians supporting him evicted from the convoy.
Senate deputy speaker Kembi Gitura was among those who were barred from accompanying the president in his tour after a standoff between Jubilee politicians and independent candidates.
Jubilee party has fielded 39 candidates for various elective positions in the county. The candidates are facing stiff competition from Independent Candidates and those from Jubilee-allied parties who defected shortly after the party nominations.
