New political party formed ahead of 2012

A new party that is expected to change political realignments ahead of 2012 has been formed, it was established on Wednesday.

The United Democratic Front (UDF), formed three weeks ago, is linked to some politicians associated with the G7 grouping.

Members of G7 are deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, suspended Higher Education minister William Ruto, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa, Trade minister Chirau Mwakwere, Dujis MP Aden Duale and former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara.

Brains behind the party

The Registar of Political Parties, Ms Lucy Ndungu, on Wednesday confirmed UDF’s formation.

“There is a provisional application for the registration of UDF but there are no officials yet,” Ms Ndungu said.

Politicians familiar with the UDF formation who did not want to be identified, said an influential clique of businessmen with the President’s ear, leaders and professionals from Mt Kenya close to Mr Kenyatta were the brains behind the party.

Forces behind the new movement have called a meeting of Central Kenya MPs tomorrow at which Mr Kenyatta will be urged to start building the new party.

Contacted, Nithi MP Kareke Mbiuki said Mr Kenyatta’s supporters were not happy with developments in the PNU Alliance and wanted him to have a fallback plan.

“PNU was formed through the collaboration of Mr Kenyatta, Vice-President Musyoka and Provincial Administration minister Prof George Saitoti,” he said.

Mr Mbiuki said there were indications that each of the three presidential aspirants “wants to go his own way.”

“It is because of this that we have called a meeting at Karen Cooperative College on Friday to strategise on the way forward ahead,” he said.

He said the issue of UDF was likely to feature.

Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau said Friday’s meeting was called by the chairman of the Central Kenya Parliamentary Group, Mr Ephrahim Maina.

“We will discuss the unity of Central Kenya. Politicians from the region must speak with one voice,” he said.

Mr Kamau said “even MPs like Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua and assistant minister Peter Kenneth who did not see eye-to-eye with Mr Kenyatta were invited”.

Mr Munyori Buku, an aide of Mr Kenyatta said the Deputy Prime Minister had a party and if he was to change it he would do so himself.

On Wednesday, it was not clear if Mr Ruto and his allies were invited to the party.

However, if Mr Ruto is not part of this new initiative, some of his allies will be infuriated as the name is almost similar to United Democratic Movement (UDM), which the Eldoret North MP intends to use as a vehicle in his 2012 presidential quest.

Last weekend Lugari MP Cyrus Jirongo launched his presidential campaign on a United Democratic Movement party ticket.

It is not clear whether he did so with the blessings of Mr Ruto or Lt-Gen (retired) John Koech, who claims to be the legal chairman of UDM. Mr Jirongo is Kaddu leader.