PNU's single presidential candidate dream jolted

By Athman Amran and Daniel Nzia

The much-anticipated joint-nomination exercise to choose one presidential candidate within PNU-Alliance is bound to fail as key presidential hopefuls revamp their respective parties.

While PNU chairman Prof George Saitoti has shown lukewarm interest in participating in the joint-nomination, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta have been busy preparing their parties, Wiper Democratic Movement and Kanu respectively, to use as them as vehicles to vie for this year’s presidential elections.

Eldoret North MP, who has also been expected to participate in the nominations, has already announced that he will not be party to it.

- KALONZO: Announced team to manage his presidential campaign and changed name of his party

- SAITOTI: Shows lukewarm interest in participating in the joint nomination

- UHURU: Called Kanu Parliamentary Group meeting to consolidate his position

Speaking after holding consultations with 800 Kalenjin elders from Uasin Gishu, Keiyo, Marakwet and Nandi counties at his Sugoi home on Tuesday, Ruto assured his supporters that he would be in the final presidential race.

Mr Kalonzo, who has been so engrossed in the affairs of PNU-Alliance to the chagrin of some of his senior party officials, has shifted his attention to revamping his party.

Uhuru on the other hand called a rare National Executive Committee and parliamentary group meeting last month in an effort to consolidate his position, unite and revamp the party in preparation for the General Election.

There has even been a proposal to change the name of the party from Kenya African National Union to Kenya Alliance of National Unity to welcome other parties interested in joining it in preparation for the polls.

Kalonzo made the first move by changing the name of his party from ODM-Kenya to Wiper Democratic Movement so that it would not be confused with Prime Minister Rail Odinga’s Orange Democratic Party during voting.

On Tuesday the VP announced a team to manage his presidential campaign.

Among the strategists are Mutuma Kathurima, a former PS and ambassador, economist Prof Marangu Marete, lawyers Koki Muli and Donald Kipkorir, Mr David Mugo, who is in charge of social media, Rose Kimotho and former PS Hassan Gullet.

Others are Joseph Mwadeghu Mwahinda from the Coast, Prof Wilfred Nyangena, from the University of Nairobi and Baringo County Council chairlady, Elizabeth Chesang, Youth representative Charles Thuku, Rev Simon ole Massi representing religious sector and Mr Frank Karanja, who is based in London and representing the Diaspora.

Diaspora representatives

"Further consultations are going on to get representatives from people with disabilities and other interest groups, including politicians and representatives from the Diaspora in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa," the VP said at his Yatta farm in Machakos where he hosted a delegation comprising elders, scholars and politicians from across the country.

The complete list of advisory team, which will work with other wellwishers in spearheading the VP’s campaign and explore on choice of a running mate, will be unveiled later at a ceremony in Nairobi.

On the other hand Kanu has opened its doors to like-minded parties to join it, a move to scuttle the PNU-Alliance strategy to seek for one presidential candidate to face off with Raila.

Already more than 20 political parties will this week meet in Nairobi to strategise on how to enter into an alliance with Kanu.

The move is part of a strategy by allies of Uhuru to revamp Kanu as his main political vehicle for the presidency in this year’s General Election.

The process of revamping the party was started last month during a two-day retreat of its National Executive Council (NEC) chaired by Mr Kenyatta in Naivasha.

The NEC meeting sanctioned the start of recruitment and the party is expected to make major moves in a National Delegates Conference expected before the end of February.

Last week, the three presidential aspirants were put on notice to either join the PNU Alliance Party or risk losing crucial support for their bids.

At a high profile political function at Chuka University in Tharaka-Nithi County, Uhuru, Saitoti and Kalonzo were also told to forget the backing of 1.5 million-bloc vote from Mt Kenya East region if they fail to unite.

Kalonzo ally

The forum dubbed the ‘Mt Kenya East Political Caucus’ and attended by representatives from Embu, Tharaka-Nithi and Meru Counties hinted Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi could also be a replacement for the three.

Parliamentary Chief Whip Johnstone Muthama, a close ally of Kalonzo, told him to disown his Wiper Democratic Movement and join the PNU Alliance Party.

And Kiraitu said: " If Uhuru wants to be President then let him be told loud and clear that he should abandon the cockerel party and join the winning team."

Muthama told the three contenders not to assume they were the only presidential flag bearers as others who were even more competent and qualified were still on the periphery.

Kiraitu said the region can longer be used as a climbing ladder to power without offering anything in exchange.

"Whoever merges the PNU Alliance presidential candidate must first put something on the table for the Mt Kenya East community before the general elections and the memorandum of understanding so agreed upon must remain binding," Kiraitu declared to wild cheers.