Photo/FILE Former Speaker of the National Assembly Francis ole Kaparo said that under his leadership, UDM would respect the rights of every Kenyan while guaranteeing their security.
By NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Sunday, July 17 2011 at 18:55
Posted Sunday, July 17 2011 at 18:55
Former House Speaker Francis ole Kaparo launched his bid for the chairmanship of UDM as President Kibaki’s son endorsed Finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid for State House.
Mr Kaparo also announced that he would be holding a meeting with Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Mr Kenyatta in the strongest hint yet that he might contest the presidency next year.
The meeting scheduled for August 5 at Mr Kaparo’s ranch, will also bring together leaders from the counties of Laikipia, Samburu and Baringo.
“I normally consult before making decisions. For now I’m going for the UDM chairmanship. The rest will follow,” Mr Kaparo said.
Speaking at Ili Polei village near Dol Dol market in Laikipia North at the weekend, Mr Kaparo said he was joining UDM after staying without a political party for more than 16 years.
“I resigned from Kanu a day after I was elected the House Speaker because I believed that I had to divorce partisan politics if I was to succeed in nurturing multiparty politics in the country,” Mr Kaparo said.
Last weekend, professionals and political aspirants from the region held a meeting meant to chart the way forward for the community.
The former Speaker said that under his leadership, UDM would respect the rights of every Kenyan while guaranteeing their security.
“My intention is to make UDM a big party which every community will own,” he said.
In Othaya, Mr Jimmy Kibaki endorsed Mr Kenyatta’s presidential bid and asked a crowd at a fundraiser to support the Deputy Prime Minister.
The President’s son also endorsed former Mukurwe-ini MP Mutahi Kagwe for the senator’s post in Nyeri County.
However, Mr Kibaki, who is widely expected to succeed his father as Othaya MP, has not declared interest in the seat.
Elsewhere, an MP has termed the announcement by former Kabete lawmaker Paul Muite to vie for the presidency in 2012 as a show of selfishness.
Lari’s David Njuguna claimed leaders in Kiambu county as well as the Mt Kenya region had endorsed Mr Kenyatta as the 2012 flag-bearer.
Mr Njuguna said that whereas everyone had a right to vie for any seat, the repercussions of doing that must first be considered given that the race is now expected to be tougher than ever.
The lawmaker said all politicians interested in the seat should come together and agree on one candidate to avoid splitting the region’s vote.
Speaking at Nyanduma village in his constituency, the MP said a good presidential candidate must be acceptable to all people across the country.
Last week, Mr Muite announced that he would be gunning for State House on a Safina party ticket. Gichugu MP Martha Karua and her Gatanga counterpart Peter Kenneth have also declared their interest in the seat.
Stories by Muchiri Gitonga, Eric Wainaina and Bernadine Mutanu
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Well Kaparo can make a good chairman for a party. Howver any one who cares for the welfare of the aging man shd advice him to leave the presidency which have different dynamism with speakerorate of the national assebly. otherwise he will erode the respect he gained while he was prefecting the house.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile Paul muite shd be made aware that his political life is beyond repair and go on in hosting journalists for interviews as he have been doing of late since the humble experience of 2007.
For Karua and Keneth, they are young and losing badly in 2012 will not be too bad.
Maiko Mwangi. USA
Yes
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