G7 plots alliance under ANC party

By Mwaniki Munuhe

Presidential hopefuls in the so-called G7 Alliance are in a scramble to put their houses in order ahead of a possible pre-election coalition deal.

The coalition will include political parties that are not part of the informal group.

Experts representing several of the G7 Alliance and allied parties are working to create a vehicle under which like-minded leaders will unite ahead of the 2013 General Election. The new party, to be known as the Alliance National Coalition (ANC), could be ready for use as soon as Friday next week. This development supports earlier reports that the G7 had abandoned the idea of testing the waters separately in the first round in favour of a united assault (The Standard On Sunday, June 24).

We can report that that the team of technocrats working to set up the new party is almost finished with the task. A source in the team says a meeting planned for tomorrow will see them agree on the last few details.

“The party is ready,” said our source, a member of the committee setting up the ANC. “The structures are already in place. The only (unresolved) issue is the (question of a party) symbol and colour, which we will discuss on Monday.”

The technocrats working on ANC includes representatives from The National Alliance, New Ford- Kenya, Wiper Democratic Movement, Alliance Party of Kenya, and Party of Action. These parties are linked to presidential aspirants Uhuru Kenyatta, Eugene Wamalwa, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Raphael Tuju.

APK leader, Kiraitu Murungi, says his party, the ‘Bus’, is open to Uhuru or Kalonzo at the helm, but may look to Deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi, Eldoret North MP William Ruto, or another candidate if neither comes on board in the next three or so weeks.

United Democratic Forum, which is associated with Mudavadi, has expressed interest in having a representative on the team working on ANC.

We could not establish if Ruto’s United Republican Party, which initially snubbed overtures related to this deal, plans to get involved.

The creation of a vehicle for a pre-election deal is expected to spur G7 leaders and others they are courting to speed up efforts to consolidate support. But the scramble to deliver united voting blocs to the negotiating table come as ODM – the G7’s strongest opponent – is seen to be propping up rivals to some G7 leaders in Western, Central and Eastern Kenya.

Ruffled feathers

In addition, a 2010-2017 TNA strategy paper recently leaked to the media has ruffled feathers in the alliance with its unflattering national leadership profiles. This even as various G7 parties struggle with internal friction related to nominations and support for parliamentary and civic positions. Some of this friction is playing out in the Kajiado North, Kangema, and Ndhiwa by-elections and could complicate further the search for unity and a joint platform in the alliance.

Worst hit is TNA, which faces competition from allied parties in Monday by-elections and outright rebellion in the PNU coalition over its 2013 strategy. At least four parties have threatened to deny Uhuru their endorsement of his presidential bid. The Party of National Unity, Grand National Unity, Democratic Party of Kenya, and the Alliance Party of Kenya are unhappy with what they describe as TNA’s “arrogance” in dealing with them. The party insists it will not entertain anyone wishing to ride on Uhuru’s coattails.

Multiple sources in the G7 say Uhuru’s approach to the Mt Kenya vote fits with the broader plan to have presidential hopefuls rally support in their regions and elsewhere ahead of talks on a possible coalition. The presumption is that the leader with broadest national appeal has the best chances, while anyone unable to unite their political backyard will be fighting an uphill battle.

“Each one of them must show what they are bringing to the table,” said one source that did not want to be named. “If you are not seen to be fully in charge of your block, then your negotiating position is weakened.”

The technical team working on the coalition deal was set up during a breakfast meeting at the Norfolk Hotel early last month attended by Uhuru, Wamalwa, Tuju, Mohammed Affey (representing Kalonzo), and Kiraitu Murungi.

A day earlier, Uhuru appeared to secure the support of PNU, APK, and GNU in his bid for president. That deal, however, appears to have since collapsed.

G7 leaders and their allies have about three months to get their act together if they want to present a pre-election coalition in time for the March 4 elections.

The Elections Act requires parties to submit their nomination rules to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) mid next month. Those intending to craft a pre-election deal have until December 3 to do so.

The Political Parties Act requires the agreement to be deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties at least three months before the General Election.