SHEBESH DUMPS RAILA FOR UHURU
Nominated MP Rachel Shebesh has finally ditched Prime Minister Raila Odinga for Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta. Shebesh was among more than 35 MPs who attended a three-day retreat this weekend for TNA allied MPs at the Great Rift Valley Lodge. This ends speculation about the nominated MP next move following days of reports that she was set to quit the Orange party.
Shebesh has hitherto been an ardent and vocal supporter and defender of Raila both in and out of Parliament. She becomes the first high profile ODM Reloaded member to quit the party. A statement by Uhuru's spokesman Munyori Buku listed Shebesh as among those who attended the meeting that ended yesterday.
MPs Peter Mwathi, Wilfred Ombui, Mike Sonko, Cecily Mbarire and Kareke Mbiuki confirmed that Shebesh had joined them. "What does someone's presence at not just a retreat but a party's strategy meeting mean?" Mwathi said. Sonko said Shebesh was joining TNA to strategise on how to popularise the party in Nairobi and capture majority seats.
"She is an asset to the party and some of us who have been close to her when she was in ODM have worked hard to bring her on board. Now TNA is becoming stronger," Sonko added. Sources indicate that TNA has promised Shebesh it will nominate her for either Nairobi women's representative or Roysambu MP. "We have welcomed Rachel Shebesh, who will run for the Nairobi women's representative and many more will be coming. She will be concentrating in building TNA support among women in the city," Mbarire said.
Shebesh did not go to TNA alone—she appears to have weakened Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth's camp after she tagged along the KNC secretary general Alice Nganga, who is set to quit the party today. "I attended [the retreat] in my individual capacity and not on behalf of the party and, yes, I am joining TNA," Nganga told the Star on the phone.
On Friday, Embakasi MP Ferdinand Waititu introduced Shebesh in Githunguri, Kiambu during the burial of former minister Arthur Magugu. The funeral was attended by Uhuru. Shebesh arrived in the company of Sonko, Waititu, and activist Stanley Livondo. After the funeral that the four drove to Naivasha for the retreat.
ODM secretary general Anyang' Nyong'o said yesterday "Kenyans have a constitutional right to choose political parties to belong to," without elaborating whether ODM is worried by the defection. Raila Odinga presidential campaign secretariat spokesman Barack Muluka said ODM was not aware Shebesh had left but said her exit would not weaken Raila's camp.
"I am not aware that she was leaving, but if she is leaving, that will be in exercise of democracy and although she was a star, her exit will give an opportunity for other players to rise," Muluka added. The retreat was also attended by the newly-appointed Minister for Internal Security Katoo ole Metito and TNA MPs Tirus Ngahu and Moses ole Sakuda. Gender minister Naomi Shaban and her Nairobi metropolitan counterpart Jamleck Kamau were also present.
Yesterday, TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja said the meeting had discussed a variety of strategies aimed at strengthening the party at the grassroots. Sakaja said PNU Vice Chairman Jimmy Angwenyi, who attended the meeting, had also indicated interest in joining TNA. "The party resolved to have a county meeting with all aspirants for various posts soon," Sakaja said. During the weekend meeting, the MPs and party secretariat raised over Sh30 million as part of their campaign kitty.
Naivasha MP John Mututho, who was present, said the meeting was set to lay strategies for the coming general election. He said that meeting was meant to set standards for aspirants, discuss party rules and to address the elections rules. “We had a good meeting and some MPs from others parties are set to join TNA as the party prepares for the coming elections,” Mututho said.
Mututho was however coy to discuss those who would be defecting but was quick to note that talks were underway for MPs from PNU and ODM to join the party. The sentiments were echoed by Roads assistant minister Lee Kinyanjui who confirmed the pending defection. “At the moment I don’t have the numbers but in the course of this week you will see MPs leaving their parties for TNA,” he said on the phone.
The Nakuru MP said the workshop had discussed the issue of recruitment and the just ended by-election where TNA bagged two of the three parliamentary seats. “We have discussed various issues including party recruitment, national campaigns and working with other parties,” said the MP.
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