UDF, Wiper yet to decide on flag-bearer

Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka (left) of the Wiper Democratic Movement leaves the Serena Hotel, Nairobi after a closed door meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi (left) of the United Democratic Forum (UDF) on November 6, 2012. Photos/EMMA NZIOKA

What you need to know:

  • Sketchy details from a draft agreement between Mr Musyoka of the Wiper Democratic Party and Mr Mudavadi of the United Democratic Forum indicate the two are discussing either teaming up in a coalition, or approaching the election as separate entities with a common agenda.
  • The draft, which was placed before the VP and the deputy PM on Wednesday at the Serena Hotel said if the two settle on a coalition, they will then be required to decide who will be the presidential candidate.
  • On Thursday, Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale refused to reveal the details of the draft agreement, saying, consultations were still taking place.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi have still not tackled the sensitive issue of which of the two will be the presidential candidate if their planned election alliance bears fruit.

Their talks continued as another alliance involving Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as presidential candidate and Eldoret North MP William Ruto as running mate moved on to negotiations
on the fielding of candidates for other elective seats from their parties. (READ: Ruto, Uhuru in fresh G7 push to beat Raila)

Mr Kenyatta of The National Alliance (TNA) and Mr Ruto of the United Republican Party (URP) have both been indicted by the International Criminal Court over the post-election violence and are due for trial at The Hague in April.

They have indicated they want to turn the General Election into a referendum on the ICC.

Separate entities

Sketchy details from a draft agreement between Mr Musyoka of the Wiper Democratic Party and Mr Mudavadi of the United Democratic Forum indicate the two are discussing either teaming up in a coalition, or approaching the election as separate entities with a common agenda. (READ: Kalonzo and Mudavadi strike deal on alliance)

The draft, which was placed before the VP and the deputy PM on Wednesday at the Serena Hotel said if the two settle on a coalition, they will then be required to decide who will be the presidential candidate.

On Thursday, Ikolomani MP Boni Khalwale refused to reveal the details of the draft agreement, saying, consultations were still taking place.

“We have an agreement in place, but we cannot make it public because the top organs of parties involved have to meet and sanction it. I ask Kenyans to be patient with us. We will soon announce it,” he said.

It is said that both Mr Mudavadi and Mr Musyoka will be required to convene their party delegates conferences to approve some of the details in the coalition agreement.

In case the two agree to go to the election as a team, they will settle on a party symbol to use on the presidential ballot paper. However, they were categorical that the two parties will be retained as distinct entities.

On Friday, Mr Musyoka will meet the Kamba Council of Elders and Wiper MPs to discuss the coalition arrangement.

On Thursday, Mr Mudavadi’s UDF held a meeting of the party’s political council and National Executive Council (NEC), which endorsed the talks.

In a statement, UDF chairman Hassan Osman said: “Consistent with our policy commitment to drive inclusive dialogue with parties that share our vision and passion for an inclusive government, we endorse and encourage the on-going consultations between our leaders and the leaders of Wiper Democratic Movement Party and other parties”.

“We will carry out this process expeditiously to assure the nation that a team for stability and peaceful transition to a promising future is in the offing.”

If UDF and Wiper go to the elections as individual parties, the draft agreement proposes that they map out the county in fielding of candidates based on their strengths in those areas.

Campaign rallies

However, the two parties have already agreed to carry out joint campaign rallies as they made room for other parties to join them. The two parties have also a team in place to harmonise their manifestos. (READ: Parties rush to polish manifestos)

Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto discussed the fielding of candidates with proposals of regional zoning cropping up in meetings held on Wednesday. Negotiators privy to the talks say that the parties believe they can maximise their parliamentary strength if they don’t compete against each other.

They were also yet to agree on how to share out Cabinet and other top government jobs if their alliance wins the election.

So far, indications are that they have agreed on the joint ticket, but are yet to agree on how the positions of the speakers of the two houses will be shared.

Also in contention is how other parties — New Ford Kenya of Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa, and Narc, of Water Minister Charity Ngilu — will be accommodated in the coalition deal.

URP is still insisting that Narc and New Ford-Kenya are part of TNA and any negotiations with them should be as part of Mr Kenyatta’s entourage. TNA, on the other hand, feels that it should get a larger part of the deal since it has more affiliates.