Parties to face off over new officials for lobby

By PETER LEFTIE pmutibo@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Monday, April 25 2011 at 22:00

In Summary

• Tenure of Larry Gumbe-led team ends on Thursday

PNU and ODM will renew their rivalry on Thursday at the election of new officials of a lobby funded by parties to promote democracy.

The struggle to control the Centre for Multi-party Democracy (CMD) has also stoked conflicts in parties, with PNU and Kanu feuding over the candidate for chairmanship.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi are backing former Siakago MP Justin Muturi, while Kanu secretary-general Nick Salat wants Mr Muturi barred from the race.

Mr Salat wrote to the CMD last week, striking out Mr Muturi from the list of the party’s delegates. This was perceived by PNU as a plot to lock him from the race to succeed Prof Larry Gumbe of ODM, who is completing his second term.

Mr Murungi, the PNU secretary- general, wrote to CMD notifying it that the former Siakago MP was one of its delegates.

On Monday, Mr Salat said the controversy had been resolved after PNU backed Mr Muturi, but declined to say who he would support.

“What surprises me is that Uhuru who has been missing in action for a very long time suddenly comes out to write a letter in support of Muturi. You cannot run a political party on the basis of friendship,” he said.

Prof Gumbe said the dispute would be resolved by the CMD board.

“The board, and not me, has told them to bring a letter signed by the chairman, secretary-general and treasurer giving us the delegates. The board is yet to receive the letter,” he said.

ODM is yet to disclose its candidate, but sources said it was considering backing Narc’s Fidelis Nguli. Others said the party would back former MP Ochieng’ Mbeo.