Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Uhuru says no automatic TNA nominations


Uhuru says no automatic TNA nominations

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By Moses Njagih
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta jolted central Kenya MPs with a declaration he would neither endorse any one nor will there be automatic nominations in The National Alliance (TNA).
Proclaiming he would not front anyone for positions in the party no matter their current position, Uhuru expressed readiness to work with the leaders the party members will pick.
Uhuru’s declaration that he would contest the presidency on TNA ticket excited political activity in Central Province where he enjoys strong support, with many political leaders angling towards him in the hope of riding through Uhuru-TNA wave in the Mount Kenya region.
Even politicians who had been popularising other parties in the region before Uhuru’s declaration have recently formed a beeline towards TNA in the hope of riding on its wave to Parliament or governorship.
On Tuesday, the DPM appeared to target this speculative group of sitting MPs with his declaration they should not expect his endorsement for any position in the party.
“Our party is interested in selling policies not individuals,” he said.
The Gatundu South MP reiterated his earlier statement TNA will go for free, fair and transparent nominations. He urged those who will fall by the wayside after the primaries to concede defeat.
“This is the party of the people and no one person is more TNA than the other. I will not back anybody aspiring for whatever position. It is the people who will pick the candidate of their choice in a competitive process,” he said.
Uhuru, who was speaking during the opening of the party national office along Jogoo Road, added: “Nobody should go claiming that he is speaking on my behalf to win the support of the electorate.”
Uhuru used the function to also launch party recruitment drive. He said he would now concentrate on opening branch offices in other counties.
forum
Meanwhile, the party has announced it will hold a forum for all aspirants seeking to run for various positions on the party ticket on Wednesday next week.
A cutthroat competition for Uhuru’s endorsement has emerged in many constituencies in the region, with some MPs and their opponents opening rival TNA offices to push perception they are closer to the party leadership.
Uhuru urged the MPs and those aspiring for party positions to await the verdict of the electorate at the nominations, urging those who would lose to also help build the party.
When he launched the party, Uhuru, in a move seen as trying to avoid defections, promised those who will stand by TNA after losing in the nominations they would be considered for other non-elective positions.
The DPM reiterated he was ready to work together and face a nomination process with leaders from other “like-minded parties” so that they would in the end front one presidential candidate. “There are parties that have similar ideologies and we are ready to work with the leaders of these parties. If they beat me in the nomination I would gladly support the winner. I know that would be the decision of Kenyans,” said Uhuru.
Uhuru explained, though he is currently pushing on his presidential campaign, he was willing to join forces with leaders from other parties, giving indications that he was still pursuing the G7 Alliance’s common agenda.
He rebuffed the critics of the alliance, especially those claiming that the G7 leaders are only united to ensure Orange Democratic Movement’s leader Raila Odinga does not win the presidency.
“There are people who get frightened whenever we come together, yet we are bound by similar ideologies, and claim we unite to target one person. We have no interest in an individual,” said Uhuru.
supporters
Uhuru urged his supporters to avoid politics of name-calling and insults, saying his party aims at taking the political game to a higher level.
“We are only interested in the politics of Kenya for Kenyans not cat-and-mouse riddles that we have heard from our opponents.  We will let those who want to continue with the politics of insults to go ahead, but we will not engage them,” he said.
Leaders who accompanied Uhuru said it was crucial for all his supporters to face the General Election under one party. Public Health Minister Beth Mugo said Uhuru’s supporters should not repeat the same mistake of Party of National Unity made in the 2007 elections, arguing President Kibaki’s party lost in the battle for numbers in Parliament since his supporters and MPs were scattered in many parties.


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