Time ripe for political alliances, says VP

Written By:VPPS,    Posted: Fri, Jul 08, 2011

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (photo:file)

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has expressed the need for Kenyans to embrace true democratic principles that will unite all Kenyans irrespective of their political party affiliations or social background.

Mr. Musyoka says it is time for like minded political leaders to have alliances that are aimed at bringing together the interests of all Kenyans regardless of their ethnicity, religion or political loyalty.

"Right now there are about 14 political parties in one alliance and I believe this is the way to go if we are to realize a true political change and unity for a better Kenya under the new Constitution," he said.

The Vice President was speaking Thursday evening at the Railway Club Hall in Nairobi, during a funds raiser towards the offsetting of a medical bill for Hon. Nathaniel Chebelion , a former Member of Parliament for Bureti (Konoin) Constituency.

He assured that the expected strong political parties alliance will participate in a democratic nomination to settle on one Presidential alliance candidate.

He condemned the tendency of individuals taking over political parties and turning them into personal entities that can't accommodate divergent views.

The VP was flanked by Eldoret North MP William Ruto, the Minister for the East Africa Community, Prof. Hellen Sambili, and the host MP for Konoin, Dr. Julius Kones among other guests.

Mr. Ruto said it was time Kenyans liberate themselves from cult political parties that glorify individuals rather than the interests of the people.  

A move by ODM to replace councilors allied to Ruto was criticized with Sambili calling for fairness in dealing with terminations of service of ODM nominated councilors.

She said there was need to accord the civic leaders their rights to democratic views without influence, intimidation or vindictive perceived grounds of political inclination.

The Vice President said it was time for Kenya's renaissance where the public got rid of political dictators and has in place agents of change who can liberate the nations towards a new beginning.

"We should get dictators out and put in place leaders who can embrace change as per the new Constitution, "he noted.

Hon. Chebelion is currently admitted at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret for the past two months, suffering from spinal ailment.

Ruto said Kenyans are entitled to access to Medicare as provided for in the new Constitution.

He said Kenyans can collectively develop a scheme to cushion the less fortunate against inaccessibility to Medicare.

"It is possible to develop a scheme that will reduce medical bill burden to most families, as a nation we should have a social security framework that can cushion the less fortunate from medical bills," he added.

Mr. Musyoka described Hon. Chebelion as a true patriot and nationalist who has over the years defended the rights of the common mwananchi and actively participated in parliamentary debates towards uplifting  the standards of living of all Kenyans.

Also present was the Director, National Hospital Insurance Funds, Managing Director, Mr. Richard Kerich among other guests.