In the run-up to the 2013 general elections, Uhuru Kenyatta, who was then the Deputy Prime Minister, and Musalia Mudavadi, also a Deputy Prime Minister, were both jostling for leadership of the Jubilee Coalition.
They were set to compete in a joint nomination process to determine the coalition’s presidential flagbearer.
The Jubilee Alliance was formed in late 2012 as a political coalition ahead of the March 4, 2013, elections. It included Uhuru’s The National Alliance (TNA), William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP), and later, Musalia Mudavadi’s United Democratic Forum (UDF).
In December 2012, the coalition partners reportedly signed a formal agreement that stated Uhuru Kenyatta would step aside to allow Mudavadi to become the Jubilee presidential candidate.
Uhuru Changes Mind to Step Aside as Jubilee Presidential Candidate
The agreement included a clause that if both men insisted on running, a structured nomination process would take place within the coalition. A committee made up of representatives from all partner parties will supervise this process. This will create a mini election to choose the flag bearer.
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The arrangement was partly influenced by Uhuru’s case, which was ongoing at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Mudavadi Ditches Jubilee Coalition
Some strategists believed that fielding Mudavadi as the presidential candidate would help avert international backlash and improve the coalition’s chances.
However, shortly after the agreement was signed, Uhuru changed his mind during a delegates meeting with his TNA party, claiming he had been persuaded by “powerful forces” to surrender the candidacy to Mudavadi.
“The devil came to me and told me that if we are elected, the West will not give Kenya money, that our tea can’t be sold abroad, and that Kenyans are not ready for another Kikuyu president, as this could lead to more bloodshed. Given that I love peace, I decided to quit and support Musalia,” Uhuru stated.
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Uhuru then remarked, “Shetani mwingine hajui huu mungano tulianza aje,” which many interpreted as a jab at Mudavadi, suggesting that an outsider who did not understand how the Jubilee alliance was formed had tried to interfere.
Feeling betrayed and humiliated, Mudavadi withdrew his UDF party from the Jubilee Coalition and launched his presidential bid under the Amani Coalition, which included KANU and other smaller parties. He selected Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni as his running mate.
In the March 4, 2013, general election, Uhuru Kenyatta won the presidency in the first round, with William Ruto as his deputy. Raila Odinga came in second, while Mudavadi finished a distant third.
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PHOTO/Parliament.
