Sakaja Cautions TNA Aspirants Over Errant Behaviour

The National Alliance chairman Johnson Sajaka addresses journalists at Village Inn Hotel in Kiambu at the weekend during a meeting for aspirants in the county. Photo/John Karume

BY WANGARI NJUGUNA AND JOSPHAT KINYUA
MONDAY, 7 JANUARY, 2013

The party chairman said they will not tolerate those whose utterances tarnish the party’s image as they seek elective seats

Members who are seeking elective seats in The National Alliance (TNA) party have been warned against indiscipline. Chairman Johnson Sakaja said yesterday that the party will not tolerate aspirants who tarnish its image.

Speaking in Murang’a during the election of members of the county nominations advisory board, Sakaja said the aspirants shall respect the rules and conduct mature and peaceful campaigns and avoid utterances likely to incite people into violence. “All candidates must conduct peaceful campaigns devoid of violence and insults against their competitors,” he said. He urged other rival political parties to avoid sideshows and attacks on the Jubilee coalition during their campaigns and instead focus on selling their policies to the electorate.

At the same time, Sakaja reiterated the party’s commitment to conducting free and fair nominations, adding that nobody will get direct nomination. He refuted claims some aspirants in the county have been exempted from the nomination. “We have no preferred candidate in Murang’a or any other part of the country. We shall accept the candidates chosen by the people because it’s their choice,” he said.

He prdicted a landslide victory for the Jubilee Alliance in the General Election, which he said will be achieved through coordinated campaigns by parties in the alliance.

He, however, said only certified members of the party will participate in the nominations on January 17. In Nyeri, Secretary General Onyango Oloo denied TNA has zoned parts of the country where it enjoys overwhelming support. Speaking when he met aspirants from the county, Oloo said they will conduct joint nominations with the United Republican Party, adding that where a party enjoys more support, it will be in charge of the exercise.

There has been tension in areas such as Nakuru County where the two parties have almost equal support with candidates vying for various seats fearing they may not be on the ballot due to zoning.