Saturday, September 22, 2012

Kalonzo and Raila renew 2007 rivalry



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Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Prime Minister Raila Odinga chat after meeting President Kibaki at KICC at a previous function. Photo/CHRIS OJOW
Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka and Prime Minister Raila Odinga chat after meeting President Kibaki at KICC at a previous function. Photo/CHRIS OJOW  
By SATURDAY NATION TEAM newsdesk@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Friday, September 21  2012 at  23:30
IN SUMMARY
  • Mr Musyoka says PM should instead rejoin his rebranded Wiper Democratic Movement that he left during the run up to the 2007 elections.
  • VP says 24-hour economy strategy will assist in poverty alleviation and wealth creation through increased employment opportunities.
  • Central Kenya leaders endorse Uhuru for top seat in Kibaki succession
The Kibaki succession on Friday dominated meetings, with top presidential aspirants clashing over who was the most popular candidate.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka sparred over who between them should drop their presidential bid to join the other.
In a manner reminiscent of their battles ahead of the split of ODM-Kenya in the lead up to the last General Election, Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka each claimed to be more popular and better suited to succeed President Kibaki than the other.
They were speaking at functions in Makueni and Meru counties, respectively.
In Kiambu, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta was endorsed to vie for the presidency by speakers during the funeral of former Cabinet minister Arthur Magugu.
Vote to a man
Lari MP David Njuguna led the chorus for Mr Kenyatta’s candidacy, declaring that central Kenya would vote for the The National Alliance (TNA) party leader to a man.
“When you go to a dance, you do a jig with the one who belongs to you. He (Mr Kenyatta) is ours and we will support him for the presidency,” Mr Njuguna said at Komothai PCEA Church.
In Emali, Mr Odinga said he was ready to work with Mr Musyoka and other Kamba leaders. He said ODM was already working with Pick’s Harun Mwau, Narc leader Charity Ngilu and Mr Kalembe Ndile of Tip.
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But Mr Musyoka, in a statement by his Personal Assistant, Mr Kaplich Barsito, said: “Raila Odinga left ODM-K for ODM after sensing defeat; he is the one who should return to ODM-K, now Wiper Democratic Movement, and compete.”
To avoid a repeat of the 2007 fiasco, Mr Musyoka told Mr Odinga: “If he is beaten in the nomination, he should accept defeat.”
The VP asked his rivals to back his bid: “I heard that the PM has asked me to join ODM and I am telling him to rejoin ODM-K, now Wiper Democratic Party, which he left before the last General Election.”
Speaking in Igembe North Constituency, Meru County, Mr Musyoka said he would not give up his presidential bid. He said if elected, he would fight corruption and implement the Constitution to the letter.
Earlier, the Vice-President promised to work with the Alliance Party of Kenya and TNA to win the next elections.
Accompanied by area MP Ntoitha M’Mithiaru and parliamentarians Dan Muoki as well as assistant minister Peter Munya, he urged Kenyans to respect each other and ensure a peaceful election.
But Mr Odinga said ODM will radically transform the country if it takes power next year. He said coalition politics slowed the party down and forced it to compromise on some of the programmes it had for the country.
The PM blamed the spate of strikes in the public sector on failed policies of past decades but said teachers would resume work on Monday.
“We don’t want a situation where workers have to go on strike for them to get better pay,” said the Premier. “These really are results of past bad policies.
“The strikes will end soon. I am confident teachers will resume work on Monday. But an ODM government will ensure people don’t have to strike for better pay.”
It was unfortunate that 50 years after independence Kenyans everywhere are still crying for basics like title deeds and water, he added.
“If we don’t vote for change in the coming elections, I can assure you that 50 years from now we will still be where we are today, crying over the same problems we are struggling with.
“Countries like Korea, whose economy is 50 times larger than ours, today will be one hundred times ahead of us.”
In Githunguri, Mr Kenyatta read a message of condolences from President Kibaki to the Magugu family.
The President said Magugu was a pragmatic leader who discharged his duties with vigour and diligence.
Others who backed the TNA leader’s presidential bid included former MP GG Kariuki, political activist Mary Wambui, Water assistant minister Ferdinand Waititu and Makadara MP Gidion Mbuvi alias Mike Sonko. Mr Njoroge Baiya, the Githunguri MP, also backed Mr Kenyatta’s presidential bid.
‘He is our man’
Mr Kariuki is the chairman of the Mkenya Solidarity Movement, which is associated with former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga.
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“We know what he wants and we will ensure he gets it next year because he is our man,” he said.
Mr Waititu said winning a civic seat in Dagoretti in the by-election was an indication that the party was gaining ground in the city.
The Makadara MP said Uhuru would get the presidency, Mr Waititu the governorship and ODM nominated MP Rachel Shebesh the women representative’s post.
Although Ms Shebesh steered clear of politics, political activist Stanley Livondo claimed she was in TNA.
Former President Moi’s condolence message was read by his son, Kanu chairman Gideon Moi.
Mr Magugu leaves behind a widow, Ms Margaret Wairimu, and two children.
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Reported by John Njagi, PMPS and VPPS

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