Uhuru allies search for new vehicle after PNU

MPs allied to Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta are shopping for a new outfit after they agreed to drop the PNU tag ahead of next year’s election.

Thirty MPs met in Naivasha last week to brainstorm on the way forward under the United Democratic Front banner.

It is unclear whether Mr Kenyatta supports the plan after he disowned UDF when it was registered.

The Nation has established that he will make known the party ticket he will use by the end of January after the International Criminal Court rules if his case goes to trial or not.

Sources said although the MPs were yet to agree whether they should move to UDF, they were unanimous that they should drop the PNU tag.

They said PNU, which was formed to campaign for President Kibaki’s second term, had served its purpose.

The discussions come only two months after Mr Kenyatta, Internal Security Minister George Saitoti and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka promised to work together under the PNU banner in consolidating support, to face-off in a presidential primary and to support the winner.

Speaking after the Naivasha retreat, nominated MP George Nyamweya led his colleagues in praising UDF but was sketchy with details.

The MPs said they were seeking to change the country’s personality-based politics.

“It is too early to divulge details. We are coming up with a style that will shape the destiny of this country,” he said.

President Kibaki’s personal secretary, who is said to be among the key architects of UDF, attended the retreat.

The move by the MPs is likely to fuel tension in PNU and the G7 alliance which have pledged to work together to block Prime Minister Raila Odinga from taking over the presidency.