Sunday, December 25, 2011

Third Force may front Abdikadir for president



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Mr Mohammed’s candidature would most certainly excite the youth constituency and probably younger professionals uncomfortable with dominant political voices and their ways.
Photo/FILE Mr Mohammed’s candidature would most certainly excite the youth constituency and probably younger professionals uncomfortable with dominant political voices and their ways. 
By NJERI RUGENE nrugene@ke.nationmedia.com And EMEKA-MAYAKA GEKARA gmayaka@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, December 24  2011 at  19:28
Youthful politicians in President Kibaki’s Party of National Unity (PNU) disgruntled with the group’s manner of operation are fronting Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohammed’s possible presidential candidature.
The group, now seen as a Third Force in the coalition government, has declared a break with the past and reconfiguration of politics away from the “usual faces.”
The youthful MPs, mainly from Central, North Eastern and Upper Eastern regions have crystallised around the newly registered United Democratic Front to provide what they describe as alternative leadership.
They argue that current political party leadership revolves around tribal kingpins, a situation which, in their view stirs up tribal emotions blamed for the 2007/08 post-election violence.
The MPs also point out that ethnic-based politics is a recipe for endemic corruption, hero-worship, intolerance and preservation of status quo to the benefit of a political cabal that continues to dominate the country’s politics.
“There is need for a Third Force. The choice should not be left to the usual faces,” said Mr Mohammed, the chairman of the powerful House committee that oversees implementation of the Constitution.
“What we are clear about is that we want a clear break with the past. We cannot continue doing things the same way otherwise we will remain exactly where we are.”
The UDF group flexed its muscle this week when it put up a spirited fight against the approval of the three candidates proposed by President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the ethics and anti-corruption team.
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Notably, assistant ministers Ndiritu Muriithi, who is President Kibaki’s nephew, and Kabando wa Kabando defied the Executive’s decision in support of the candidates and backed the House committee report which recommended rejection.
Other members in the group are assistant minister Aden Sugow, Abdul Bahari (Isiolo South), George Nyamweya (Nominated) Jeremiah Kioni ( Ndaragwa) Njoroge Baiya (Githunguri) and Mohammud Sirat (Wajir South).
Mr Baiya is vice-chair of the Legal Affairs committee while Mr Nyamweya and Mr Mohammed are members. Sunday Nation has reliably learnt that members of the team fell short of resigning following the rejection of their report.
It is understood that they called off a planned press conference to announce the resignation after consultations with House Speaker Kenneth Marende.
They argue that it would be difficult for the committee to deal with the same anti-corruption team members who they had rejected.
The committee addresses issues related to ethics and constitution including vetting of constitutional office holders.
The Mandera Central MP indicated to Sunday Nation that UDF was largely associated with youthful politicians from PNU who are “tired with the old order of doing things and are determined to deliver reforms and the fruits of the new Constitution”.
Mr Mohammed’s candidature would most certainly excite the youth constituency and probably younger professionals uncomfortable with dominant political voices and their ways.
While contributing to debate on the nominees, Mr Kabando celebrated Mr Mohammed and electoral chief Isaack Hassan, saying though they come from the so-called marginalised communities, the two had played a remarkable role in delivery of the Second Republic.
Mr Mohammed was the chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Constitution Review as well as the Legal Affairs team.
“UDF is the first new dawn force. Its spirited by determination to erode personality political cults. Tired of inertia we are set to crash old order,” said Mr Kabando, also a Safina MP same as Mr Mohammed.
“Kenyans must expect unseen courage and initiative.” UDF, which was founded in July has been quietly recruiting and its membership is said to have hit 50,000.
But speaking to the Sunday Nation, the soft-spoken Harvard-educated lawyer was non-committal on presidential ambition.

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