PNU to enlist members countrywide, says Saitoti

Minister for Internal security and PNU Chairman George Saitoti (center) and former minister for Sports Maina Kamanda (right) present a cheque worth Sh0.5 million on December 24 2008 to Ms. Lucy Ndung'u, the Registrar of political parties. Photo/CHRIS OJOW (Nairobi)

The Party of National Unity will embark on a massive recruitment drive next year as it popularises itself ahead of the 2012 General Election.

Party chairman George Saitoti said that the newly-elected officials had resolved to build a dynamic party, which would not only unite all Kenyans, but also form the next government.

Said Prof Saitoti on Wednesday: “This is indeed the party of the future and everyone must be brought on board.”

The Internal Security minister spoke moments after filing the party’s returns with the registrar of political parties, Ms Lucy Ndung’u, in Nairobi.

This is in line with the requirements of the new Political Parties Act, which requires the parties to open offices countrywide, secure 200 members in every province and raise Sh600,000 registration fee.

The law also requires that every province be represented in a party’s governing body.

Many of the small parties are yet to comply with this law, which also provides that parties be funded by the Government.

Eight parties

So far, only eight parties have been registered after fulfilling all the requirements. A further 23 had applied for registration by the close of business on Wednesday.

Ms Ndung’u has maintained that parties which will not have been registered by the December 31 deadline risked being locked out.

On Wednesday, Prof Saitoti dismissed allegations that his party had short-changed women in the distribution of positions. However, he said he would have loved to see more women being involved in the running of party affairs