Uhuru allies meet to plot poll strategy
Correspondent | NATION
From left: Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi and presidential aspirants Raphael Tuju, Uhuru Kenyatta and Eugene Wamalwa, and nominated MP Musikari Kombo address journalists after their meeting on August 09, 2012 at The Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi.
The G7 Alliance on Thursday had a breakfast meeting to revive efforts of fielding a single presidential candidate in the next election.
This came a day after three parties from the larger Mt Kenya region endorsed Mr Uhuru Kenyatta’s bid for State House.
It was attended by Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa of New Ford Kenya, Mr Raphael Tuju of the Party of Action, Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi, nominated MPs Musikari Kombo (New Ford-K) and Mohammed Affey, who represented Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper Democratic Party.
“This meeting is informed by the fact that we are all very determined, that we must be able to forge alliances for the good of this country, that any of us who wants to become number one in the country, must be ready to have Kenya be number one first,” Mr Tuju said.
URP leader William Ruto, who is allied to the group but did not attend the talks, welcomed the plan to form a united front ahead of the elections.
“URP believes in higher ideals. We believe in dialogue with other parties as this election is going to be about issues,” Mr Ruto said.
Good for democracy
URP chairman Francis ole Kaparo said Mr Kenyatta’s new coalition was good for democracy.
“URP encourages dialogue and we’ll talk with them as well. Political parties must continuously engage each other as we have a country to take forward,” he said.
Other key players include Environment minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere, Dujis MP Aden Duale and former MP Omingo Magara.
UDF presidential aspirant Musalia Mudavadi has been linked to the group since quitting ODM in April, but has not been vocal on its activities.
On Tuesday, the Party of National Unity (PNU), Grand National Union (GNU) and the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) pledged to support Mr Kenyatta at the next elections. (READ: 4 parties strike pact to support Uhuru in polls)
They also mandated him to reach out to leaders from other parties to forge a stronger political alliance.
Mr Kenyatta, Mr Ruto, Mr Musyoka and Mr Wamalwa are currently running independent campaigns and have in the past hinted at backing one of their own against PM Raila Odinga in a run-off.
The spokesperson for Mr Kenyatta said they were working on an all-inclusive coalition to win the presidency in the first round.
“What Mr Kenyatta has said all along is that he will work with like-minded parties and leaders from across Kenya.
‘‘This is the surest way of cementing national unity, peace and reconciliation. In this way, Kenyans will bake the national cake together and share it,” Mr Munyori Buku said.
