What next for G7?

By Vitalis Kimutai

The G7 Alliance yesterday staged a public show to control damage, demonstrate ‘unity’, and combat negative perceptions arising from unfavourable reports attributed to one of its top members.

G7 leaders (from LEFT) Mr Eugene Wamalwa, Mr William Ruto, Mr Ali Mwakwere, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka and Mr Uhuru Kenyatta stand out for the cameras outside Fairmont the Norfolk Hotel after their meeting on Monday. Photo: Wilberforce Okwiri/Standard

The members not only posed for cameras to fan the perception they are united but they also ensured Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, who was on Monday quoted saying G7 does not exist, stood out prominently in the shot. The alliance’s members, who included Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Deputy Prime minister Uhuru Kenyatta, must also have been pricked to action by reports quoting Kalonzo casting himself as the main opponent against Prime MinisterRaila Odinga next year, and asking for prayers to help him triumph over the Orange Democratic Movement leader.

But even more symbolic, the members met on a day when one of its key movers, Ruto, was expected to fly out to The Hague for the start of his International Criminal Court’s confirmation hearings that begin on Thursday.

An official who participated in organising the meeting said the leaders came together to show their solidarity, as a team on the face of claims G7 alliance members were not united.

"The leaders chose to have a cup of tea, consult on ways to strengthen their unity and map out programmes to be rolled out in coming days," said the source who did not want to be named.

In full media glare, they bade Ruto farewell and wished him well in his second encounter with Justice Ekaterina Trendafilova.

Springboard

But behind closed doors, it is reported they discussed possible outcomes at the hearings and the alliance’s next political programme after the return leg to The Hague.

The importance of The Hague’s proceedings have taken centre-stage in the movement, which styles itself as a springboard for the youth and anti-Raila platform in next year’s elections, lies in the fact that Uhuru too will be flying out in about two weeks time for his own confirmation hearings.

The two MPs are on Prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo’s list of crimes against humanity suspects and will be fighting to clear their names this month.

But if the court rules before the end of the year that both — or one of them — have a case to answer, the political consequences for G7 may be tumultuous and that is why the alliance is not leaving anything to chance.

It is also the reason why the politicians chose to fight off perceptions stirred by statements attributed to Kalonzo, who some in the party view as positioning himself to be the party’s automatic candidate should Ruto and Uhuru be saddled with ICC cases up to and through next year’s elections.

ICC cases

As Ruto left for The Hague on Monday, following his defense team that left on Sunday, and with Uhuru polishing up his defense before he too takes the flight to Netherlands, the question remains: should Trendafilova and company rule against them, what will it mean for G7?

And if the bench returns the verdict the there is no evidence to warrant their trial, would it turn G7 into a political ‘martyr’ movement, win them sympathy, and steamroll it into power?

These scenarios must have played out in the minds of G7 leaders and their supporters as they congregated in private yesterday, after a day of prayers.

Indeed a source confirmed to The Standard that the leaders also discussed the effects of the ICC cases facing Uhuru and Ruto and the implication in the political arena.

"True, the ICC cases were discussed but it was not a major issue. What dominated the meeting is the political alliance bringing them together."

Apart from Uhuru, Ruto and Kalonzo, the others present at the Norfolk Hotel meeting were Transport Minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Saboti MP Mr Eugene Wamalwa.

They were quick to dispel fears their political alliance was disintegrating and they were no longer working together because of competing political interests, especially in the wake of Kalonzo’s remarks in Vihiga over the weekend.

Sources revealed Kalonzo assured his colleagues that the report carried in local media was erroneous and that his commitment to G7 stood.

"Kalonzo assured the group that G7 will remain united and it will also hold joint nominations to field one candidate in 2012." Members of the group have in recent weeks operated individually unlike in the past when they moved across the country as a team telling Kenyans that they would support one among them for the presidency next year.

"ICC or no ICC, the G7 will move on regardless of what happens at The Hague next month," a source quoted the leaders vowing.

The meeting took place five days after Ruto was dropped as Higher Education minister alongside East African Cooperation minister Hellen Sambili, and assistant ministers Aden Duale and Mohamud Ali.

The importance Kalonzo and Uhuru gave the meeting was discernible from the fact that they skipped a swearing-in ceremony for newly appointed Cabinet ministers at State House, which they had been scheduled to attend, so as to be with their colleagues in the alliance.

After meeting for over two hours, the five — all who habour presidential ambitions — emerged smiling. They did not address journalists who had camped at the entrance after being tipped off.

They consulted briefly as journalists clicked their cameras away to capture the moment.

Presidential candidate

"Haya, asanteni sana, sana," (Okay, thank you very much)" Kalonzo said as he waved to journalists and directed a member of his official Press to remove a microphone he had mounted in front of him.

Uhuru shook Ruto’s hands, patted him on the back and told him: "Wewe si usafari salama halafu ukirudi tuanze kazi". (You travel safely and when you come back we start work).

Wamalwa on his part smiled and said: "Hiyo ni sawa sawa kabisa." (Yes, that is in order indeed)

Ruto and Wamalwa were the first to arrive at the hotel at 11am followed by Kalonzo and Uhuru, while Mwakwere arrived later.

Kalonzo was the first to be driven away on Harry Thuku Road, followed by Uhuru, Ruto, then Wamalwa and Mwakwere.

Members of the G7 alliance have said they would conduct a joint nomination to pick a presidential candidate who would most likely face off with Raila in the next General Election.

Raila declared at the weekend he would beat members of the G7 alliance in a presidential race, saying they had crafted a tribal outfit while he had taken everyone on board.

But Ruto’s response was thatthe alliance is ready to form the next Government and sort out the problems facing the country.

"We are ready to take over the country’s leadership. If we form the next Government, we shall ensure that we take this country to the next best level locally and internationally," Ruto said.