Sunday, November 25, 2012

Uhuru and Ruto now want joint ticket symbol


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PHOTO/FILE  Presidential aspirants Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and William Ruto.
PHOTO/FILE Presidential aspirants Uhuru Kenyatta (right) and William Ruto. 
By OLIVER MATHENGE omathenge@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted  Saturday, November 24  2012 at  22:00
IN SUMMARY
  • Sign would appear on presidential ballot but parties will field other candidates
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Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto are working on a symbol that will represent their joint presidential ticket.
The two met on Saturday in Nairobi to fine tune their coalition agreement.
They are, however, still considering having their parties – The National Alliance (TNA) and United Republican Party (URP) – maintain their individual identities.
Strategists working for the two leaders told the Sunday Nation that they might adopt a new symbol that would appear in the presidential ballot.
The coalition would only be used by the presidential candidate and running mate while URP and TNA remain and individually field candidates for other positions.
On Saturday, Mr Ruto indicated that they were yet to agree but dismissed reports that they were considering forming a new party to use as a vehicle for the March 4 elections.
“You should relax. We will let the public know when we agree. We will cross the bridge (how URP and TNA intend to work) when we get there. We are not on guesswork or trial and error,” he said on telephone.
TNA chairman Johnson Sakaja said consultations between the party and others including URP were ongoing and a deal would be reached before the December 4 deadline.
TNA strategist Moses Kuria echoed Mr Sakaja, saying Mr Kenyatta was seeking to have a coalition that respects the right of the constituent parties to exist on their own.
“The law is very clear. The reason we have December 4 deadline is to protect political parties from being cannibalised by coalitions. The running mate is the choice of a presidential candidate not political party,” Mr Kuria said.
The Sunday Nation also learnt that the Ruto-Kenyatta camp was pursuing talks with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper Democratic Movement (WDM) and United Democratic Front’s (UDF) Musalia Mudavadi in an effort to work together.
Mr Mudavadi and Mr Musyoka are, however, also working on a coalition deal spearheaded by former Trade minister Mukhisa Kituyi (UDF) and Prof Marete Marangu (WDM).
Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto are said to have agreed that the deal should be sealed by the end of this week to allow the players in the alliance to participate in joint rallies to market the coalition.
The rallies have been planned for next weekend.

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