TNA-allied MPs urge Annan to meet Uhuru

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta at the home-coming ceremony of Internal Security Minister Katoo Ole Metiti last weekend. PHOTO / CORRESPONDENT

MPs allied to The National Alliance Party want a meeting between their party leader Uhuru Kenyatta, and the chairman of the African Union Panel of Eminent Persons Mr Kofi Annan.

Addressing a news conference in Parliament buildings, the MPs said that Mr Annan, who is in the country to review its readiness for the next general elections, had so far met “the ODM side and the civil society”.

They said Mr Annan had met the Prime Minister, Mr Raila Odinga, who is one of the favourites to clinch the presidency in the March 4, General Election, yet other frontrunners in the race, such as Mr Kenyatta had not given their input to Mr Annan and his team.

Mr Mithika Linturi (Igembe South) read the joint statement on behalf of MPs Rachel Shebesh (nominated), William Kabogo (Juja), Kabando wa Kabando, (Mukurweini), Abdul Bahari (Isiolo South), Clement Waibara (Gatundu North), Joseph Kiuna (Molo), Cecily Mbarire (Runyenjes), and Amina Abdalla (nominated).

Mr Linturi said that Mr Annan should schedule an appointment with the other contenders for the top seat for him to have a full picture of the country’s political terrain.

“They should meet other political players including Mr Kenyatta, William Ruto, Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, and others. We think these are key leaders, with very great input, and if the goal of Mr Annan and his team is to prepare the country for peaceful elections, then they should meet and get ideas of these people,” said Mr Linturi.

Though these leaders were not in Mr Annan’s itinerary, and even though they are yet to settle on an agenda that they want to present to the Panel of Eminent Persons, the MPs said, that once they’re granted an appointment, then, their leaders will be ready with ideas “to improve the report” of Mr Annan’s trip in Kenya.

“We’re aware that Kofi Annan is a key player in peace in the whole world, and whatever he takes from Kenya is received in the whole world as gospel truth, so, it will be unfair if he doesn’t meet these other leaders to get their input,” added Mr Kabogo.

Mr Bahari noted that the race to State House had “very clear lines” and so far, the MPs were apprehensive that the people Mr Annan had so far met were likely to influence him to think in a certain way.

“We want free, fair and peaceful elections, and we’ll ensure that we’ll do everything in our power to make that happen. But Mr Annan needs to get input from all the major political players, so that he leaves the country with an informed view,” said Mr Bahari.

“This is a fairly straight-forward matter. He should meet every side as we head to the elections. The opinion polls have been putting them as frontrunners, so they that’s why Mr Annan should meet them,” the Isiolo South MP noted.

Apart from Mr Odinga, Mr Annan has met the Chief Justice, Dr Willy Mutunga, and is also scheduled to meet the Speaker of the National Assembly.

He’s also poised to meet the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission, which is time-barred and has been unable to conclude the filing of its report to Parliament and the release of the same to the public.