Operatives of the planned party are influenced by two common factors — hatred and fear for Prime Minister Raila Odinga , and need to outsmart him and the ICC nightmare for Uhuru and Ruto.
By Saturday, however, it emerged the announcement might not be forthcoming during Monday’s rally following a desire by some key leaders to hold it for further consultations.
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| Finance Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa and Eldoret North MP William Ruto. [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD] |
"We are still consulting but most importantly we want to agree on the party’s interim leadership and rallying call. The desire and will for a new vehicle to rival ODM has been growing by the day," said former South Mugirango MP, Omingo Magara. He is among those charged with shaping the expected party.
Besides Magara, Tourism Minister Najib Balala, Gender Affairs Minister Naomi Shaaban, Assistant Ministers, Kareke Mbiuki, Aden Duale, Jebii Kilimo and Mwangi Kiunjuri, and MPs Julius Kones, Wilfred Machage, Musikari Kombo and Isaac Ruto have been proposed as interim board members.
Their immediate mandate is to find a suitable name for the party, among other requirements, in consultation with lawyers.
Unperturbed by the verdict of the International Criminal Court, drivers of the new party say it will accommodate all parties friendly to the ‘Ocampo Two’.
"Very soon we will have something for Kenyans who are keen on having a generational change in leadership. The earlier the better, so that like-minded politicians can embark on selling policies of the new outfit," he told The Standard On Sunday.
PM’s influence
The emergence of a new party could weaken the Prime Minister, who may lose a substantial political constituency, including sections of Rift Valley and pockets of northern Kenya and Coast Province.
Magara says the proposed party will be crafted as a coalition of parties. Dr Kones told The Standard on Sunday that a formula was being worked out to facilitate joint nominations from the civic to the presidential level. They hope this would ensure they get strong candidates to give ODM a run for its money.
The participation of Uhuru and Ruto in the General Election, due next year, is hinged on whether they would be let off the hook by the ICC where they were named among four others as bearing the greatest responsibility for post-election violence.
Political analysts agree Kalonzo would be the beneficiary if the two were to stand trial at The Hague. They, however, predict a falling out if the cases against the two collapse, leading to a jostling of leadership among the Vice-President, Ruto, and Uhuru.
The emergence of the new party follows the fashion of the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) and ODM. Over time, forceful opposition parties have emerged on account of euphoria.
Narc in 2002 embodied a desire for change in the post-President Moi era, and a protest against ‘Project-Uhuru’. ODM evolved from the 2005 referendum campaigns that rejected the ‘Wako Draft’ of the preferred Boma Constitution.
Balala is famed for declaring in 2005, at the Moi Stadium, Kisumu, that the Orange team, then opposed to a proposed constitution, would transform into a political party.
Elite club
This time the forces are coalescing around The Hague and the anti-Raila political crusade. Incidentally Balala, who was a member of ODM’s elite club dubbed Pentagon, of Raila, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Ruto and ministers Charity Ngilu and Joe Nyaga, is now championing for the new party.
Last week Balala announced in Nakuru that in tomorrow’s rally at Uhuru Park, Nairobi, a new party would be launched.
Were a new party to be born, then the VP and Uhuru, both leaders of their ODM-Kenya and Kanu parties, would find themselves in tricky situation. They would be required to abandon their parties first, then losing their parliamentary seats, and Cabinet offices as they seek fresh mandate. But politicians have avoided the hassle of seeking re-election by opting to remain in their parties even when they have embraced others.
MPs allied to the three top leaders will also find themselves in a catch-22 situation. They must abide by the new Constitution and Political Parties Act requirement on party membership. They must be members of a party at least six months to a General Election before being cleared to run on its ticket.
At Nakuru Afraha Stadium rally, Balala said: "Those you are seeing here today will be in the next Government. A president will come from among these people. If you are not with us then count yourself out in future leadership."
He then summoned the VP, Uhuru, Ruto, Naomi Shaban, Eugene Wamalwa, Magara, Aden Duale, and Kiema Kilonzo, among others, and saw them pledge they would remain united.
"I want all these leaders to promise they would be at Uhuru Park where we would launch a party," said Balala.
Magara says the team is consulting constitutional lawyers to ensure they do not run into legal hurdles.
During the Nakuru rally, Kalonzo, Uhuru and Ruto indicated their partnership would work.
"We want to take a vow before all of you that our unity is not a joke. We will remain like this to the end," declared Ruto.
One presidential candidate
He went on: "Some people have been peddling lies that our association is not headed anywhere. Let them continue dreaming. We are determined to ensure a youthful person becomes president this time," Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau, speaking from The Hague where he had accompanied the suspects, said unity of the alliance was discussed.
"We resolved that, we sustain the spirit and continue consulting to rallying behind one presidential candidate," said Kamau.
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