By K. Seroney in the Midlands. A former British diplomat was yesterday an honorary guest at the joint Kassfm International radio-WorldRemit recognition of the contributors to the radio programmes in 2011. Martina Moh, International marketing manager of worldRemit was also present.

Read more: Former British Diplomat Honours Kenyan Media Participants

A former nominated MP Ezekiel Barngetuny’s call for the Kalenjin to turn back to KANU is interesting. Some pundits have speculated that Mr Moi is behind his close friend’s call. So the clock seems to turn back to 2002, when then-President Moi nominated Uhuru as his successor, paving the way for the formation of the coalition of the powerfully disappointed National alliance rainbow, Narc or I call it, Not actually real candidates, to secure Kibaki's victory. But Uhuru will have to be careful not to become a victim of the in-fighting within the Kalenjin peoples: if he seems to lean towards Moi, Ruto may oppose; and if he cultivates Ruto, Moi may undermine. That is for another time.

As for the revival of KANU as such, it is an intriguing line of speculation. I suppose it is still the best-known political brand in Kenya, even though it seemed in the past nine years to have sunk from view. The party's misfortune is that the brand is well-known but not always for the best reasons: it was the instrument of one-man and one-party rule for most of the post-independence period, and associated with lots of abuses which disfigure Kenya's multi-party politics, too. It should also be remembered that Moi made KANU his instrument for neutralising the Kikuyu and keeping them mostly away from power. Uhuru would have to win them back. On the other hand, it was a national party. I suppose its old nationwide network of offices etc could be revived, if resources could be found. Presumably, Uhuru's meeting in Naivasha will have revealed how many of the old KANU officials are around. The question is whether the party can be rejuvenated: apart from Uhuru, the officials must by now be renewed. Some names are bad tags for the party.It also showed that the Uhuru side will call the shorts.

Anyway, I think Uhuru's presumptive control of KANU is strength - possibly his greatest strength: it unites the most famous political brand with one of the most famous names in Kenya's political history. Is Uhuru's back strong enough to bear the burden of leadership and beat the opposition? Would he be good enough to be president of a different Kenya - bigger population, deep problems including ethnic policies, and a totally different constitution - from the one his father and Moi led?