By OLIVER MATHENGE omathenge@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Saturday, February 4 2012 at 21:18
Posted Saturday, February 4 2012 at 21:18
Internal Security minister George Saitoti is causing anxiety in the alliance of politicians associated with PNU over his insistence that he will vie for the presidency on the party’s ticket.
There is growing concern that Prof Saitoti is ditching a protocol he signed with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta.
On Saturday, Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi, the Alliance Party of Kenya convener, said the party was calling on Prof Saitoti to return to the fold and support its quest to field a single candidate under the party banner.
According to Mr Murungi, PNU Alliance changed its name to Alliance Party of Kenya in a bid to accommodate more political entities.
“We are calling on Prof Saitoti not to ditch the alliance. The protocol was signed by him, Uhuru and Kalonzo, and while the others have made their intention and commitment to remain in the alliance, he has been too vocal that he does not want to be in it,” Mr Murungi told the Sunday Nation.
He added that the three politicians should “stop dividing the supporters on President Kibaki’s side of the coalition” with the clear understanding that none of them can win the presidency on their own.
He termed the move by Prof Saitoti as “destructive politics”. (READ: Legal hurdles, mistrust threaten PNU Alliance)
“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.
Prof Saitoti has appeared lukewarm to the alliance idea, insisting that the parties strengthen themselves first.
Last year, the three Kibaki men signed an agreement they hoped would see one of them prevent Prime Minister Raila Odinga from becoming president.
The parties, including President Kibaki’s PNU coalition, took tentative steps towards forging a united front when they adopted a 10-point common electoral protocol.
They also adopted an alliance symbol of a big bus adorned in black, gold and green. The protocol includes joint party structures and nomination rules for all candidates.
However, Mr Musyoka has been strengthening his Wiper party, Mr Kenyatta has called a Kanu national delegates conference on February 14 while Prof Saitoti has been marketing PNU and recruiting members.
It appears each is keen on ensuring he has an edge when they start proper negotiations for an alliance. The Elections Act allows parties to form coalitions before or after elections.
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