Wiper party joins forces with PDP

By Naftali Makori and Robert Nyasato

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has announced that Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) will enter into a working relation with a party associated with former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara.

Kalonzo said WDM had agreed to work as team with People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to steer his presidential bid.

PDP chairman Stephen Nyarangi and party leaders who were present, endorsed the pact at a public rally at Musa Nyandusi Stadium in Nyaribari-Chache constituency, Kisii County, on Friday.

“All the 50 parties can’t be strong on their own unless we unite,” Kalonzo told the gathering.

And the VP began his three-day campaign tour of Gusii region with calls for peace ahead of elections.

The VP defended his public service record and reiterated he was the most suited presidential aspirant to succeed President Kibaki. He dismissed those downplaying his capabilities saying they were malicious and they feared his candidature.

The WDM leader maintained he was the best presidential candidate contrary to propaganda by his political detractors and urged residents to vote for him. Kalonzo told political leaders to preach peace and tolerance among communities ahead of the March 4 General Election.

Tribalism

“As Kenyans, we must work for a united nation and avoid a repeat of what happened in 2007. We must learn from our history and stop bloodshed. No Kenyan should die because of political competition. We should pray so that the problem does not recur,” he said.

He admitted that tribalism was still a challenge, but said it was the responsibility of every citizen to embrace peace.

“We must tolerate political competition because that is what democracy is all about. In the last election, you voted for me as a community, the Prime Minister also got his share, and so was Kibaki. For the sake of peace, we came together to unite a country that had been ethnically polarised,” he said.

The VP urged residents to shun tribalism and reconcile with their Kipsigis neighbours following a bloody conflict five years ago.

“We know of the cattle theft problem that is prevalent here. We must find ways to end the menace without ethicising the underlying issues,” he said.

Kalonzo promised to push for the upgrading of Riotonyi police post to a fully-fledged police station.