Genesis of Kibaki-Gaddafi deals

It all began in 2001 ahead of 2002 General Election.
Then President Daniel Moi was facing unprecedented challenge to his 24-years leadership and the future of Kanu, the party he had led with an iron grip for decades, seemed uncertain. The opposition, led by its Leader in parliament (Emilio) Mwai Kibaki, was divided more than ever. Kibaki together with the late Vice-President Michael Kijana Wamalwa and current Water minister Charity Ngilu were fronting for a united opposition while Raila was edging closer to Moi in what culminated into a political merger. Raila dissolved his party (National Development Party) and joined Kanu as its Secretary-General.

But the marriage was short-lived. Raila left Kanu and teamed up with Kibaki’s National Alliance Party of Kenya (NAK) to form National Rainbow Coalition (Narc), which ended Kanu’s 40-years grip on power.

Realizing that the tide of change was almost inevitable, Moi opened the floodgates of money. The opposition retaliated by embarking on a global campaign to raise funds for purposes of the presidential election. The opposition chiefs began knocking at the doors of every regime they felt was at odds with Moi. That’s how Kibaki landed in Tripoli.

Gaddafi had fallen out with Moi during the cold-war era. The Libyan embassy was by then said to be carrying out espionage activities in Kenya. Gaddafi was heavily accused by Moi of giving Kenyan dissidents a safe haven to carry out their activities.

In 2002, Kibaki and Raila went to Tripoli and secured millions of oil money to fund their campaign. In return, they promised Gaddafi, investment opportunities in strategic areas upon taking over power. In fact, Kibaki’s nephew, Alex Muriithi who passed away late last year, was sent in confidence to sign the deal(s) on behalf of Kibaki.

It is soon after January 2003 that Libyans began making in-roads in Kenya’s corporate world. The matters were helped by the fact that Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni - who has a long known association with Gaddafi - seemed to enjoy cordial relations with the new Kenyan President. Since then Kibaki, Gaddafi and Museveni have met on three different occasions in Kampala and Tripoli.

But Raila - who was a major player in securing the Libyan deals - soon fell out with Kibaki over matters political. A clique close to the first family, popularly known as the Muthaiga golf buddies, quickly monopolized the Government and in essence the deals. This prompted bad blood between Raila camp and Kibaki side. There was the feeling that a group of Kenyans from a certain region seemed to hold onto the notion that they were the only ones with the right to “eat”.
This bad blood will continue as long as the Kibaki clique accepts to “eat” with the rest!

Ends…