Mr Uhuru Kenyatta. Photo/FILE
By OLIVER MATHENGE omathenge@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Tuesday, April 3 2012 at 22:30
Posted Tuesday, April 3 2012 at 22:30
IN SUMMARY
- Central Kenya MPs put in place plan to identify party that DPM will use in quest for State House
MPs from central Kenya have put in place plans to identify a suitable political party for Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidential bid.
The MPs, who met at the Landmark Hotel in Nairobi on Tuesday, however, did not settle on a particular party.
Among the parties suggested were the PNU Alliance, National Alliance Party of Kenya, United Democratic Forum and Grand National Union.
However, the DPM and his allies are reluctant to settle on any of them as he continues to face opposition in Kanu.
The meeting, chaired by Gema chairman Lawi Imathiu, resolved to continue “consulting” over the matter.
Mr Kenyatta could be warming up to the PNU Alliance, but only after it changes its name. Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi registered the PNU Alliance and has indicated that the name would be changed.
Presenting the papers to the Registrar of Political Parties on Monday, Mr Murungi said the PNU Alliance would change to Alliance Party of Kenya.
However, the existence of another party called National Alliance Party of Kenya might complicate Mr Kenyatta’s political choices.
Mr Kenyatta did not attend Tuesday’s meeting.
Speaking after the meeting, Mr Murungi said a committee had been formed to consult all political leaders and come up with modalities of forming a national political vehicle.
“The committee will continue consulting political leaders and also look beyond Gema so that we can have a party that takes up the ideals of all Kenyans,” Mr Murungi said.
Sources said there were talks to have the National Alliance Party of Kenya, associated with veteran politician Nginyo Kariuki, to adopt the PNU Alliance bus as its symbol or not seek registration at all. NAP-K, which is yet to comply with the Political Parties Act, has a leopard as its symbol.
According to the sources, the bus is perceived to be more inclusive.
The ticket on which to contest the presidency is a major headache for Mr Kenyatta and his allies, particularly after one of his key associates, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, reportedly refused to work with either Kanu or PNU.
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Limuru II declarations were revisited and it was resolved to form a committee to pursue them. “The committee will also monitor the resettlement of IDPs. It has also been asked to fast-track the collection of two million signatures to be used to petition the ICC to defer the violence trials,” Mr Murungi said.
He said the committee would establish a media team to counter negative sentiments against Gema.
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