Kibaki: I cannot stoop so low
2006-12-11 22:27
Nairobi - Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki denied on Monday accusations that he engineered the ouster of the son of the country's revered founding leader Jomo Kenyatta as head of the main opposition party.
As political campaigns got under way ahead of 2007 general elections, Kibaki distanced himself from the ouster of Uhuru Kenyatta as the chairperson of the Kenya African National Union (Kanu) party and the government's subsequent recognition of a rival faction.
"I have no time to engage in such trivial affairs. I cannot stoop so low to engage in coups in political parties because I am beyond that," said Kibaki.
"It is total nonsense and stupidity to say I was involved. I am busy serving Kenyans, so how can I be involved in affairs of other political parties?" asked Kibaki.
Kabiki blamed for Kenya's woes
Last month, Kenya's registrar of societies proclaimed Nicholas Biwott, a scandal-plagued ex-minister close to former president Daniel arap Moi, as the head of Kanu, effectively firing Kenyatta.
The bulk of the Kenyan opposition blamed Kibaki for woes facing Kenyatta, whose attempt to lead a demonstration in the capital last week was blocked by police.
"People should concentrate on their parties and should stop dragging my name and that of government into their affairs," said Kibaki.
The ouster of Kenyatta capped the disintegration of Kenya's oldest political party, which had ruled the country for nearly 40 years until Moi retired and his chosen successor, Uhuru Kenyatta, was defeated by Kibaki in 2002.
Kenyatta had sought to ally Kanu with a new opposition alliance, the Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya (ODM-K), a move vigorously opposed by Moi, who still wields great influence in Kenya.
- SAPA