Photos/FILE Former House Speaker Francis ole Kaparo (left) and former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara are among those fighting for posts in the United Democratic Movement (UDM).
By EMEKA-MAYAKA GEKARA gmayakai@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, July 12 2011 at 21:10
Posted Tuesday, July 12 2011 at 21:10
Politicians have started scrambling for posts in the party Eldoret North MP William Ruto intends to use as a vehicle in his 2012 presidential quest.
Those fighting for posts in the United Democratic Movement (UDM) include former House Speaker Francis ole Kaparo (chairman), former Kisauni MP Ananiah Mwaboza (secretary-general), former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara (treasurer) and former nominated MP Mark Too.
Mr Ruto has been aggressively promoting UDM in the last two months. The battle for seats continues even as a case over the party’s leadership comes up for a mention at the High Court in Nairobi on Wednesday morning.
Mr Magara has sought corporate membership, while UDM supporters from North Eastern have demanded the treasurer’s post.
On Tuesday, Mr Kaparo told the Nation he would be gunning for chairmanship. “I will go for the top seat and nothing less. I want to lead and revamp the party. The party elections are planned for August,” he said.
Medical Services assistant minister Kazungu Kambi said party positions would be distributed across the country “but the post of secretary-general must go to the Coast”.
Mr Magara was unclear on his candidature, but was categorical about his relationship with UDM.
“I am in PDP, but we are working closely with like-minded politicians in UDM with the intention of entering an agreement before or after the next elections,” he told the Nation in an interview.
Dujis MP Aden Duale, who is associated with the party, said that its leadership must be broadened.
“I support provisions in the Constitution that State officers should not lead political parties. The UDM leadership must reflect regional and ethnic balance,” he said.
The party has been endearing itself to key politicians from ODM, PNU and ODM-Kenya.
Information minister and ODM-Kenya chairman Samuel Poghisio and PNU vice-chairman Chirau Makwere attended a UDM rally addressed by Mr Ruto in Kwale two weeks ago.
Corporate membership
Kaddu chairman and Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo, a UDM founder member, has also attended the party’s rallies and is said to have corporate membership.
The major challenge has been the post of chairman, initially held by Lt-Gen (rtd) John Koech who is seeking to be reinstated after a controversial ouster last year.
The matter is court. But UDM secretary for labour Stanley Rotich on Tuesday told the Nation that the party was seeking an out of court settlement.
Mr Rotich confirmed that there were talks aimed at persuading Gen Koech to withdrawal the case.
“We need to make peace with Gen Koech and for the sake of unity because the party enjoys the strongest support nationally in the South Rift where the general comes from,” he said.
Mr Rotich also made it clear that the Kalenjin had advised Mr Ruto to go for nothing less than the presidency.
The Eldoret North MP is associated with the G7 alliance, which includes Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa.
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