Sunday, October 28, 2012

Kalonzo refutes claims of merger talks with ODM


Kalonzo said that the party has a hierarchy and mechanism to determine the way forward if ODM approaches them/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has refuted claims that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party has approached his Wiper Party to discuss a possible political alliance.
However, he said that the party has a hierarchy and mechanism to determine the way forward if ODM approaches them.
Kalonzo was responding to reports from Friday that suggested a possible political alliance between the two parties was taking shape after Kalonzo’s staunch ally Kangundo MP Johnson Muthama hosted Prime Minister Raila Odinga in Tala market for a joint rally.
Muthama is Kalonzo’s main fundraiser and perhaps his closest political associate.
“Certain dialogue that I have not engaged in has been attributed to me. I have not lost my voice; when I speak, I will do so plainly,” Kalonzo emphasised.
“There are proper channels and party organs that must be utilised for the purposes of any coalition discussions. These discussions must be fully participatory and not random pronouncements,” he said.
He added that any future discussions must be with the appropriate participation of party rank and file.
Nominated MP Mohamed Affey said that the Party will not reprimand Muthama for his comments that Raila and Kalonzo should consider an alliance, but he emphasised that the actions or words of a party member don’t reflect the entire party.
“We are not offended by what our party members said. Our party members are entitled to say what they feel democratically,” he said.
“What’s important is that the decision the party will take is the decision the party structures will determine is in the best interest of the country. We are not disciplining or reprimanding anybody,” he explained.
The joint rally came barely a week after Kalonzo dismissed talk that he was negotiating with ODM for a pre-election pact.
The Vice President has maintained that he is still part of the G7 alliance that brings together Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto among others.

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