Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta (left) Nairobi Metropolitan Minister Jamlek Kamu (center) and William Ruto bow down for prayers during the home coming of the metropolitan minister at Kigumo Muranga county on April 29 2012. Photo/SALATON NJAU
By OLIVER MATHENGE omathenge@ke.nationmedia.com
Posted Sunday, April 29 2012 at 22:30
Posted Sunday, April 29 2012 at 22:30
Two key presidential contenders are yet to identify their political parties ahead of Monday’s registration deadline.
Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi are now party-less after leaving Kanu and ODM, respectively. Another politician who is yet to announce his new party is former Tourism Minister Najib Balala, who was a key member of ODM. (READ: Raila’s former allies to launch coalition)
There has been heightened political activity as parties rushed to beat the deadline that may see 10 others de-registered.
Parties at risk if they do not comply with the rules by the end of the day include some of Kenya’s pioneer opposition movements. One is Ford Asili, formed in 1992 by veteran politician Kenneth Matiba, but more lately associated with former Runyenjes MP Njeru Kathangu.
Another is Kenya National Democratic Alliance (Kenda), formed the same year by late radical academic David Mukaru Ng’ang’a, but now controlled by controversial businessman and Goldenberg scandal architect Kamlesh Pattni.
Also threatened are two of the smaller parties to have sent MPs to Parliament, Sisi Kwa Sisi and Shirikisho Party.
Others are Party of Hope, AFORD-Kenya, Kenya African Democratic Development Union, Farmers Party, Federal Party of Kenya, and VIPA Progressive Alliance.
Meanwhile, Mr Kenyatta and Mr Mudavadi are keeping supporters guessing as they start presidential campaigns without political parties.
There is speculation that the two, along with Mr Balala, could be headed to one of the 41 parties that have already submitted papers. Of the 41, only 18 had by the weekend received their registration certificates.
The National Alliance
Mr Mudavadi is expected to name his party this week, while Mr Kenyatta’s outfit will be launched in the next two weeks.
There have been indications in recent weeks that Mr Kenyatta would take over the National Alliance Party of Kenya headed by veteran Kiambu politician Lawrence Nginyo Kariuki, which will be renamed The National Alliance.
Mr Kenyatta’s spokesman Munyori Buku said the DPM will personally announce his new party.
“The waiting won’t be for long. Kenyans and his supporters won’t have to wait for any longer,” Mr Buku said.
Registrar of Political Parties, Ms Lucy Ndung’u, has ruled out extending Monday’s deadline, arguing that the existing parties had six months to comply with the law.
Ms Ndung’u said the deadline only applied to parties that were registered before the Act took effect in November last year.
She said new parties have 180 days upon receipt of the provisional registration certificate to apply for full registration.
“Those bound by the deadline are those that were registered under the Political Parties Act of 2007. All those formed after the 2011 Act have 180 days after we issue the provisional certificates,” the registrar said.
“Those bound by the deadline are those that were registered under the Political Parties Act of 2007. All those formed after the 2011 Act have 180 days after we issue the provisional certificates,” the registrar said.
The Nation has learnt that MPs allied to Mr Kenyatta and Mr Mudavadi are waiting for them to name their parties before they abandon their current outfits.
During a Gema meeting that endorsed him as Central Kenya’s political leader on March 23, Mr Kenyatta promised to announce his preferred political vehicle within 30 days. This period expired last Monday.
On Saturday, Mr Mudavadi said he would announce his new party this week. “I will be in the presidential race. I need your support and prayers so that the party I will be unveiling next week can enjoy support and eventually form the next government,” he said. (READ: Mudavadi and Uhuru to ‘snub the big parties’)
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