PNU alliance woos other parties

The newly launched PNU alliance will welcome other like-minded parties and individuals from across the country, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has said.

Mr Musyoka said the alliance had a team that was determined to win the next General Election.

“The bus is revving to go and all those interested are welcome to do so quickly,” he said. The VP was speaking at Olasiti Primary School in Narok County Saturday's during a fund-raiser to buy a bus.

And in Meru, Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta urged leaders from the Mt Kenya region to join the new alliance to boost their chances of being in leadership positions after next years elections.

Mr Kenyatta and ministers Kiraitu Murungi and John Michuki said the party would help the region’s communities remain united and enhance their bargaining power.

Mrt Kenyatta said the region’s voters would respect the outcome of a transparent nomination exercise between him, the Vice-President and Internal Security minister George Saitoti, and support the winner to contest the presidency.

“The victory will be ours all. We shall stand behind the person who will be appointed. We should not be guided by greed. We should unite so that we can succeed. Unity is what has made us successful under President Kibaki,” Mr Kenyatta said at St Cyprian Secondary School during a fund-raiser.

He later met Meru leaders at Uuru Stadium.

Experience to rule

Prof Saitoti, who addressed a series of rallies in Kajiado county, said he was ready to succeed President Kibaki. He said having served the government for more than 30 years, he had the experience to rule the country.

“I was the Vice-President of this country for 13 years, minister for Finance for five years then minister for Education, what don’t I know about this country?” he asked.

Immigration assistant minister, Mr Francis Baya, urged Kenyans to support the VP’s presidential bid, saying he was the most suited for the position.
But, as the new political alliance sought support, Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua said the party would not join it.

The PNU alliance party had sent leaders to talk to Ms Karua, Gatang MP Peter Kenneth and Gachoka’s Mutava Musyimi, who have declared their interest in the presidency, to shelve their ambitions and support one candidate from the region.

“Political parties are made with the intention of looking for supporters not others to merge with. We will not merge with other parties, and if anyone wants to vie for the presidency even on a Narc Kenya ticket they are welcome to come and battle it out democratically,” Ms Karua said while opening the Narc Kenya county office in Embu.

– Additional reporting by Eric Mutai.