By-election test for G7 alliance

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Members of the G7 Alliance. From left, Mr Eugene Wamalwa, Mr William Ruto, Mr Chirau Mwakwere, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka and Mr Uhuru Kenyatta after a meeting in Nairobi. There are indications that each party associated with the G7 alliance will field a candidate in the Kajiado North by-election. Photo/FILE 

By RONNEL ONCHAGWA ronchagwa@ke.nationmedia.com BY ISAAC ONGIRI iongiri@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, July 28  2012 at  23:30

IN SUMMARY

• Despite earlier claims that group would support a single candidate, it appears each party wants to field its own nominee

Efforts by political parties associated with the G7 alliance to forge a common election front will be severely tested in the Kajiado North by-election amid indications that each one will field a candidate.

Politicians in the alliance led by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, the Vice-President, have in the past said they might present a united front against Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM in the next elections.

Suggestions from Mr Moses ole Sakuda, who has declared his interest in running for the seat on a TNA ticket, that he has the backing of the other parties in the alliance have elicited sharp reactions from URP’s Daniel Parseina.

Mr Parseina maintains that his party will take part in the by-elections, adding “there is nothing like G7”.

Very strong

“Political parties are formed to sponsor candidates for elections. URP is very strong in Kajiado North, and it will be a big political mistake for it not to field a candidate,” said Mr Parseina.

Mr Ruto is URP’s de facto leader. Other parties in the G7 alliance include Mr Musyoka’s Wiper Democratic Party and Mr Kenyatta’s TNA.

TNA, which will be making its debut in electoral politics, has attracted the highest number of aspirants with eight people said to be interested in participating in the party’s nomination.

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Mr Solomon Kinyanjui, who along with Mr Sakuda was considered the main contenders for the TNA ticket, has since moved to the Party of National Unity.

Prof George Saitoti, whose death in a helicopter crash last month led to the by-election, was PNU chairman.

Mr Kinyanjui had previously indicated he planned to join TNA but was forced to retreat after it became apparent that top party officials were keen on working with Mr Sakuda.

Mr Kinyanjui ran for the Kajiado North seat on a DP ticket in 2007 and came in third after Mr Sakuda who run on an ODM ticket.

However, when Mr Kenyatta attended a recent launch of Olkejuado County Council chairman Taraiya ole Kores’ bid for Kajiado governor, he said he would not interfere with the party’s nomination process.

“Those scrambling for the TNA ticket are political opportunists who have this perception that Uhuru is wealthy hence will fund their campaigns,” Mr Parseina said.

It will be the first time in 24 years that Kajiado North voters will be electing a new MP after Prof Saitoti’s death in a helicopter crash last month.

The minister’s family has also been meeting to strategize on how to handle the by-elections, with sources indicating that they could sponsor one of Prof Saitoti’s brothers to defend the seat.

“We have been thinking about the minister’s projects which could be derailed, and we feel the family should come up to defend this seat,” said a family source.

Political abomination

PNU has also announced it will sponsor its own candidate in the by-elections.

“PNU was Saitoti’s party, and it will be a political abomination not to defend a seat he held for 24 years. We are going to get a strong candidate to represent us in the race,” said PNU Organising-Secretary Maina Kamanda.

Mr Kamanda announced that PNU’s management committee will meet under the chairmanship of Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchella on Monday next week to discuss the party’s nominations programme.

“We are requesting other parties within the PNU umbrella to help us defend this seat. This is the President’s party for God’s sake, and there is no value for others to seek to take Kajiado North from us,” Mr Kamanda told the Sunday Nation.

One of those interested in the PNU ticket is Mr Anthony Keen. His brother, Captain (Rtd) Edward Keen — who lost the ODM party nomination to Mr Sakuda in 2007 — has said he will support his elder brother’s campaign.

“I am going to support Anthony ... because we believe he is a stronger candidate and best suited to complete the work Saitoti left behind,” Cpt Keen said.

Those said to be eyeing the ODM ticket include Daniel Osoi and John Mositet.

“We are stable in ODM and my supporters have asked me to run for the set through the party’s ticket. I have set up a campaign team and I know I’m winning,” said Mr Mositet.

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The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has asked parties to nominate their candidates for Ndhiwa, Kajiado North and Kangema by-elections by August 15.