Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Why should I back anyone, asks Uhuru


Kenyatta addresses supporters after opening the TNA office/COURTESY
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 5 – Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta has insisted that he is not fronting any candidate for the presidency.
Kenyatta says that he has presented himself for the presidency and he will support whoever the people of Kenya elect.
The DPM, who spoke after he opened party headquarters for The National Alliance (TNA) party, affirmed that TNA will work closely with like-minded parties towards the next general election.
He said: “I am ready to work with the person who will be elected and if I am ready then I cannot send people to represent my interest in the leadership. We have to sell our ideas to the people because the policies will help us and the people will decide.”
The DPM was over the weekend reported to have agreed to pull together forces with fellow DPM Musalia Mudavadi and Eldoret North MP William Ruto to defeat their main rival, Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
His allies, Cabinet Minister Jamleck Kamau and Assistant Minister Lewis Nguyai represented him at Mudavadi’s rally at Muliro Gardens in Kakamega while Ruto was represented by Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi.
The three indicated that talks between Mudavadi, Kenyatta and Ruto on a joint presidential candidate were in top gear.
Kenyatta, a member of the G7 alliance maintained that he will only engage in politics of ideology and not personalised attacks.
“My candidature has been compared to a cat and mouse game, but we are not going to engage in insults because we want to build a party with a serious position on the issues that affect the nation the dreams and aspirations of the people,” he said.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga over the weekend likened the plot by Kenyatta, Mudavadi and Ruto to the proverbial rat that tried to bell the cat.
“They are like those rats who after making a nice bell started arguing (over) who would tie it around the cat’s neck. TNA said ‘no I can’t', URP said ‘no I can’t’ and UDF said ‘no’ as well. So, in the end nobody was able to bell the cat and that cat is called ODM,” he said.
Kenyatta has promised a free and fair nomination process and promised to back anybody who beats him in the nomination.
“We have plans to guarantee a clean nomination process and I will seek nomination for the presidency. Everyone else is welcome to compete for the position because the party is for all of us not for an individual,” Kenyatta reiterated.
Kenyatta also launched the party recruitment drive while party officials also announced that an aspirants’ forum will be held on next Wednesday at Bomas of Kenya.
The DPM was accompanied by Ministers Beth Mugo, Naomi Shaban, Assistant Ministers Cecil Mbarire, Ferdinand Waititu and Kareke Mbiuki alongside MPs Gideon Mbuvi and Yusuf Hassan.

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