Tuesday, August 17, 2010

PM dismisses alliance talk

NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 17 - Prime Minister Raila Odinga has dismissed talks of an alliance between him and Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta ahead of the 2012 general elections.

The Prime Minister said he is focusing on Constitution matters and will only embark on election alliances next year after the new law has been fully anchored.

He told the media to avoid “trying to create a wedge between politicians” by implying that he was forming alliances with a section of leaders to enable him ascend to power in 2012.

“The media should give us a break, not everyone who comes to see Raila Odinga is out to make an alliance with me… we are so busy with the Constitution,” the Prime Minister said in reference to media reports that there was a plan to form a pre-election pact with Mr Kenyatta.

“If we want to make alliances, I can assure you we are not going to announce it to you, we will do it secretly. Kenyans are tired of this cheap politics,” he added.

Weekend newspapers had reported that Mr Odinga was in talks with Mr Kenyatta in an apparent attempt to form an alliance ahead of the 2012 polls.

“We need at least one year to concentrate on anchoring this new Constitution, we cannot be talking about alliances now,” he said.

He made the remarks at his Nairobi home on Monday night when he hosted a cocktail in honour of leaders who campaigned for the Yes team during the national referendum for the new Constitution.

Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta [Finance], Musalia Mudavadi [Local Government], several Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament as well as former Starehe MP Bishop Margaret Wanjiru - who campaigned against the new Constitution - attended the party.

Cabinet Ministers Moses Wetangula [Foreign Affairs], James Orengo [Lands], Otieno Kajwang’ [Immigration], Kiraitu Murungi [Energy], Professor Sam Ongeri of Education and Government Spokesman Dr Alfred Mutua were also present as well as Members of Parliament, businessmen, lawyers and other professionals.

“You all know I was sick towards the end of the campaign period. I was so impressed by the sacrifice most leaders made to campaign for the new Constitution… it was a complete show of unity,” he told the guests.

“I want us also to pay tribute to the President because he really surprised me. He exhibited energy and vigour that I did not think he was capable of. Within a short period of time I was seeing him traveling all over the country campaigning. He really performed beyond expectations,” he said.

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