Parties law blamed for elusive PNU unity bid

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PHOTO | FILE PNU organising secretary Maina Kamanda 

By OLIVER MATHENGE omathenge@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Sunday, February 5  2012 at  22:30

IN SUMMARY

• Deal signed last year overtaken by the Act, says former legislator

The revised parties Act is emerging as the main obstacle to unity among President Kibaki’s allies as they prepare for the next General Election.

On Sunday, PNU organising secretary Maina Kamanda told the Nation that a protocol signed by three presidential contenders on President Kibaki’s side last year had been overtaken by the new Political Parties Act. (READ: Legal hurdles, mistrust threaten PNU Alliance)

Mr Kamanda was defending PNU chairman George Saitoti from accusations that he had abandoned the unity protocol signed by him, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.

The former Starehe MP stated that the Internal Security Minister was committed to working with other “like-minded individuals” to ensure that PNU forms the next government.

“The protocol was overtaken by the Political Parties Act which requires that all parties comply before they can be able to take part in the elections. The Alliance Party of Kenya is a political party like the others and all parties must ensure that they comply,” said Mr Kamanda.

He added that it was clear that none of the top contenders could win the election on their own and it was therefore important that they picked a single presidential candidate.

“The protocol did not allow for individual membership but I can assure you that Prof Saitoti is interested in an alliance with like-minded politicians. We will have to sit down and agree at the end of the day but the various parties must first strengthen themselves and comply with the law,” Mr Kamanda said.

Single candidate

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On Saturday, Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi told the Nation that the party was calling on Prof Saitoti to return to the “fold” and support its quest of having a single candidate.

“The alliance was mooted after we all analysed that if any of the leaders goes to the election alone, they are not going anywhere. We are asking Prof Saitoti to remain in the alliance even as he pushes to ensure that his PNU party complies with the Political Parties Act,” Mr Murungi said.