Aspirants now worry over political deals

By JACOB NG’ETICH

The sacrifices required to create pre-election coalitions for the 2013 General Election are proving too difficult for leading presidential contenders and their inner circles.

Promises made to supporters, allies and political parties are a major barrier to any cross-party deals on running mates. And with a nomination to Parliament still an option after a failed attempt to get to State House, many of the serious presidential hopefuls can find few reasons to drop out and back a rival.

Their talks are also threatened by internal competition as those already on board fight to protect their positions from perceived newcomers. As a result, there is growing scepticism over whether ongoing talks involving the five leading contenders over possible alliances will bear any fruit.

Despite ongoing negotiations, the signing of pre-election pacts seems more and more unlikely owing to intrigues, mistrust, suspicion and a scramble for top positions. Some of this frustration is evident even within parties that are negotiating how to approach civic, parliamentary and gubernatorial posts.

From ODM to Wiper, UDF to TNA and URP, no party or presidential aspirant is ready to play second fiddle. Key supporters of the hopefuls, especially MPs, are not ready to let go owing to the fact that their share of the pie may be threatened should more players join their respective outfits.

The failure to agree on coalition positions between TNA and URP has opened the door to renewed talks with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi. However, the fresh approaches make the matter of sharing out positions even more complex.

Only one symbol will be allowed on ballot papers for each party’s ticket. Should two or more parties enter a coalition to field a joint presidential candidate, the running mate is expected to give up their party. This is a major gamble, however, since if the pair loses he must depend on his adopted party for a nomination.

Observers say most presidential aspirants may feel better off running in their own parties and having themselves nominated into the National Assembly should they be unsuccessful.

Such a ‘failed’ campaign will also placate community backers who insist their candidates must not play second fiddle to any other candidate, whatever their chances.

Not compromise

ODM flag bearer Prime Minister Raila Odinga has been equivocal that his party will not go into any coalition: If there is a party willing to work with him, then it must don the Orange colours. Raila is said to be open to a deal with Kalonzo.

However, sources within ODM intimate that some top officials are not comfortable with Kalonzo becoming Raila’s running mate. Some party mandarins have even threatened to pull out if Kalonzo joins the Orange team.

Kalonzo and Mudavadi have also had fruitless talks. Only yesterday, UDF’s Musalia Mudavadi maintained his name will be on the ballot and he will negotiate anything else but not the presidency.

Although Kalonzo has insisted that he will not compromise on his candidature for the presidency, he has not closed the door for possible coalition. Musyoka quit the G7 alliance after he was offered a lesser position believed to be the Majority Leader in Parliament.

Reliable sources suggest Kalonzo and Mudavadi are likely to be kept out by internal competition in the Uhuru-Ruto-Wamalwa-Ngilu arrangement.

However, Narc leader Charity Ngilu and Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo yesterday urged Kalonzo not to ditch G7 coalition for the benefit of the larger Kamba community.

Bigger share

Ngilu and Kiema warned yesterday it would be a political suicide “at this particular moment” if the VP joined any other alliance outside G7.

They said political destiny, survival and interests of Kambas lay in the hands of unity of purpose under the partnership of Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Eldoret North MP William Ruto and others.

Ngilu and Kiema spoke at various campaign rallies in Mwingi South constituency, Kitui County.

“We need all of us to come to G7 in order to negotiate as a block for the good of our people. Short of this we will be politically doomed,” the Water minister said. Ngilu asked Kalonzo to stop being jittery and afraid of her entry into the G7 and return into fold.

“I don’t understand why Kalonzo is nervous about my joining G7 team to the extent he contemplates moving out. I just joined Uhuru and Ruto to reinforce him.”

Kiema said nothing comes easy and told the VP to stick with the G7 so the community can have a bigger share in the next Government.

The MP warned the Government against engaging in trade deals involving natural resources in the County terming the move was unconstitutional. And with the December 4 deadline for submission of pre-election agreements to the registrar looming, MPs allied to the parties have traded accusations that underline the degree of discord. Parties are reportedly yet to reach a compromise over sharing of positions, parties to the deal and the more sensitive decision on what party TNA’s Uhuru Kenyatta and URPs’ William Ruto would run.

However, coalition talks have been more intense and open around the TNA and URP ostensibly because the candidature of ODM and that of UDF is known for now.

In Narok yesterday, TNA and URP leaders were trying to sell the people on the prospect of successful talks with UDF’s Musalia Mudavadi and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka.

The absence of area MP, Gideon ole Konchellah, and other local URP leaders raised some doubts over the commitment of the party’s local leadership to working with TNA.