UHURU Kenyatta and William Ruto are finalising a power sharing formula that excludes Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka. The two have decided to form an alliance without Kalonzo because they do not believe he adds value to their campaigns, according to multiple sources close to the two politicians who spoke to the Star. When Uhuru and Ruto agree the finer details, they will register their accord with the Registrar of Political Parties six months before the general election as a sign of their commitment.
According to the plan, Uhuru and Ruto recognise there could be difficulties in entering the elections as a united front. Under the proposed power sharing arrangement, the two have agreed to contest the elections separately, but to share power on a 50-50 basis regardless of who wins the presidency. They will split Cabinet positions equally and then jointly agree senior government appointments, diplomatic postings and even county positions.
The new constitutional requirements stipulate that senior public appointments go through public vetting so their co-operation may have limited impact. The pair are also discussing the possibility of joint nominations with each party staying out of regions that the other considers its territory. The Ruto team is however uncomfortable with Uhuru using Kanu as his party because of its track record and former President Moi's influence. They want Uhuru to shop for another party. Uhuru's camp seems to have settled on Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa as his running mate.
However, Ruto's camp is spoilt for choice. Former assistant minister Aden Dualle, Trade minister Ali Chirau Mwakwere and former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara are all lining up as the Eldoret North MP's possible choice as running mate for Deputy President. Uhuru and Ruto have decided to abandon the VP in the wake of Justice minister Mutula Kilonzo's recent disparaging remarks about their presidential prospects.
Mutula has incessantly argued that Uhuru and Ruto cannot contest the presidency after being charged by the ICC with crimes against humanity. Kalonzo yesterday refused to comment. “You can't expect me to discuss with you these things while I am in the car. Please come to my office and I will gladly discuss the matter with you,” he said. The Star was unable to set up an appointment with the VP's staff by yesterday afternoon. Cherangany MP Joshua Kuttuny yesterday said, “There have been roundtable talks involving many people from Uhuru's and Ruto's side. We have been exploring the best way to share power.”
Kangundo MP Johnstone Muthama said, “That is gossip because nobody can say these things in public. It is only yesterday (Sunday) that the three assured the whole country they will stick together during a public rally in Machakos”. Nominated MP Mohammed Affey also denied the reports terming them “absolutely not true”. “There is no agreement of any sort between two or three individuals in the G7,” he said. Affey said the group is in the process of confidence building through the ongoing peace rallies. Affey said the three have constituted a team to to come up with mechanisms to select the flag bear in a free, transparent process.
He refused to discuss the possibility of Ruto and Uhuru going it alone minus Kalonzo, saying the scenario was unthinkable. “We can't talk about that for now. We shall cross that bridge when we come to it,” he said. He warned that no single party or individual could win the presidency on their own. Kuttuny said that the Uhuru-Ruto accord discussions started long before “we knew that Kalonzo will work with us”.
Failure by the VP to sack Mutula has caused tensions because the Uhuru side believe Mutula may be acting on Kalonzo's orders. However, this may not be Kalonzo's fault as he has reportedly written to President Kibaki asking him to dismiss Mutula as he no longer represents his ODM-K party.
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