KOMERERA

A row has erupted in President Kibaki’s Party of National Unity over campaigns for the Proposed Constitution.

Discontent over campaigns for the new set of laws is beginning to show in the rank and file as members point accusing fingers at the top party leadership.

The impatience among the members is also informed by the realisation that the referendum campaigns offer political parties an opportunity to endear themselves to the electorate and position themselves for the 2012 General Election. Members are particularly angry that their party leadership has let Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is likely to be the Orange Democratic Party presidential torchbearer in 2012, position himself as the catalyst for change.

Some PNU members want officials still uncomfortable with the Proposed Constitution to join the ‘No’ side to stop confusing the public on the party’s position.

Impatient PNU leaders have resorted to unusual candid language to express their frustrations with PNU’s key affiliates’ perennial inability to overcome internal rivalry and start planning for 2012. They are warning the referendum will be the salvation or the death of presidential ambitions of senior PNU leaders.

Some of the MPs in PNU said they fear their party was missing in action as Raila rides high on the ‘Yes’ wave. Although President Kibaki has come out strongly to support the Proposed Constitution, MPs who talked to The Standard On Sunday, say it doesn’t amount too much for the party since he is not due for re-election.

PNU, a coalition of parties, brings together three distinct and rival factions. It has PNU led by Internal Security Minister George Saitoti, Kanu led by Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM-Kenya captained by Kalonzo Musyoka.

Although all the affiliates maintain separate secretariats, national executive councils (NECs), and MPs pay their contributions to their respective Parliamentary Groups (PGs) and parties, the PNU joint secretariat is hosted at Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo’s private offices along Ngong Road.

As the minister in charge of the OP, Prof Saitoti feels he should take charge of logistics and budgets of the referendum campaigns because the Provincial Administration machinery is under him, while Uhuru holds the key to the kitty as the man who approves the budget and releases the cash.

Uhuru’s stand

Indeed, sources say PNU has been unable to make a move, even hold planning meetings, because of Uhuru’s two-week absence from the country. Uhuru has said he supports the draft but will not campaign for either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

And absence from KICC of senior PNU figures at the Thursday launch of the Proposed Constitution published by AG Amos Wako was viewed by some as evidence of ambivalence and apathy towards the draft by senior figures of President Kibaki’s party. Uhuru, Energy Minister and PNU Secretary General Kiraitu Murungi and Mutula did not attend the event.

The three are senior members of the PNU Council chaired by President Kibaki.

Uhuru left the country two weeks ago for official functions in New York, from where he proceeded to China to join President Kibaki at the opening of China World Expo in Shanghai.

The President, however, returned home in time for the draft’s launch.

Raila delayed his flight to the World Economic Forum in Tanzania to attend the launch.

According to Director of Communications at the PM’s office, Mr Denis Onyango, the PM had been scheduled to leave early in the morning, but left in the afternoon after the launch.

Kiraitu was in the country but did not attend, while Mutula flew out to Geneva on Wednesday night to attend the United Nations Human Rights Council session of Universal Period Review session. The Vice-President, who also chairs the PNU Parliamentary Group (PG), took the opportunity to clarify that he is firmly in the ‘Yes’ camp. He had previously been accused of sending mixed signals.

Strong leaders

"PNU leaders should quit playing games with Kenyans and state where they belong. As Kibaki’s VP and PNU PG chairman VP’s statements are important to our supporters. Implementation of the new constitution will be harder, and will need strong leaders of conviction. The VP cannot be trusted to implement the new constitution if he does not believe in it," said, Kinangop MP, and convener of Union of Small Party affiliates of PNU, Mr David Ngugi.

Ngugi added: "Although PNU Supreme Council had mandated the VP to lead the ‘Yes’ campaign, so far it was not clear what side he was on.

"We met at Karen Blixen three weeks ago and mandated the VP to lead the ‘Yes’ front of PNU. Instead, he spends more time preaching accommodation of the ‘No’ side and referendum being delayed," said Ngugi.

He said he would like to hear Kalonzo talk more about the many good and redeeming reforms promised by the draft.

"Leadership is not about right decisions but standing up for one’s convictions," Ngugi said.

Naivasha MP and Chairman of the Agriculture Committee in Parliament John Mututho (Kanu) compared the V-P’s wavering to Mau Mau struggle characters, ‘Komerera’ (that translates ‘into lie low until it is safe to raise your head’). "Kalonzo wants to court and please too many friends at the same time. In 2008, Kalonzo never came out either to defend or castigate any side of the post-poll dispute, opting to remain neutral and available to whichever side emerged victorious. Many political ambitions and careers will prosper or get cremated at the referendum," Mututho said.

But Kiraitu defended the VP, blaming the media for casting him as a man who had not taken a position.

"The VP and PNU are behind the President and PM in saying ‘Yes’. People should not read too much in the absence of Uhuru, Mutula or myself. The President is our party leader and presided over the event," Kiraitu said on Friday. The PNU secretary general said People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) will meet on Tuesday and will issue a comprehensive statement on the way forward. Sources say the meeting had been put off until Uhuru returns.