FEAR of political fallout is threatening to tear PNU coalition apart ahead of the Kamukunji by-election as underground campaigns for the seat kicked off.
Tension is building within the party after it emerged that ODM-K is determined to field a candidate against former Kamukunji MP Simon Mbugua.
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka is said to be directly pushing for a candidate from his own party and is demanding support from the PNU.
Yesterday ODM-K deputy chairman David Musila said the party had identified Yusuf Hassan. “We have an agreement with PNU that if we support them on one side they must also support us the other side. This has not been happening. As for Kamukunji we have our candidate if they don’t support us we will still go for the seat anyway,” Musila said. Asked why the party was not ready to support PNU defend the seat Musila said Mbugua is not their man.
MP Johnstone Muthama and nominated MP Mohamed Affey, both of ODM-K, are said to be mobilizing campaign cash. But Mbugua said he has hit the ground running ready to defend the seat he lost in petition filed by Ibrahim Ahmed Jonnie of ODM.
The former MP said he is ready to participate in a joint nomination against the ODM-K candidate and others interested in the PNU ticket. “I have humbled myself. I am ready to compete with my colleagues from within PNU and I know the people of Kamukunji are with me,” Mbugua said.
Yesterday Ahmed who has been promised direct ODM nomination said he has set up a strong fund raising team to mobilize resources for his campaign. “I am organizing my team in preparation for the race. I am going to ensure we leave nothing to chance. We must win,” he said.
ODM elections board secretary Dr Joseph Misoi said the party will meet on Thursday to discuss the Kamukunji nominations. Misoi said that through Prime Minister Raila Odinga has gone public about Ahmed’s direct nomination the board must meet to discuss the matter first.
The Interim Independent Electoral Commission will conduct the polls on May 23.
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