Uhuru team moves to win over small parties

The Jubilee Coalition has struck initial deals with six political parties to help it secure majorities in both houses of Parliament ahead of the official opening.

The swift move to hold talks with United Democratic Forum (UDF), the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), New Ford Kenya, Kanu, and Mazingira Party was meant to bolster Jubilee’s numbers in Parliament after the coalition fell short of 145 majority seats in Parliament.

Even though United Republican Party spokesman Aden Duale said they had reached a deal with Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU), the party’s leader, Ms Wavinya Ndeti, could not be reached on phone. CCU is a member of Cord.

“We have reached an agreement with Kanu, New Ford Kenya, UDF, CCU, APK, and MDP to have them on our side. The details of the deals will be worked on later,” said Mr Duale, who is also the Garissa Township MP-elect. “We met the leadership of CCU yesterday (Tuesday) and agreed to work with them.”

President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta (The National Alliance) and Deputy President-elect William Ruto (URP) formed the Jubilee Coalition before the March 4 election. They were later joined by the National Rainbow Coalition (Narc), led by Water minister Charity Ngilu and the Republican Congress Party (RCP), led by former Mvita MP Najib Balala.

Also in the alliance is Ford People, led by former minister Henry Obwocha.

Even though Mr Kenyatta’s victory is likely to be challenged in court by the Cord presidential candidate, Mr Raila Odinga, Jubilee has not wasted time in moving to strike deals with other parties to ensure it has an edge over its rival in both the National Assembly and the Senate.

Unofficial lists show that TNA has 71 MPs in the National Assembly, URP 63, Narc 3 and Ford-P 3, bringing the total to 140, just five MPs short of number it requires to control half of the House. The seats are set to increase after nomination of MPs in line with party strengths.

Cord, which brings together ODM (led by Mr Odinga), Wiper Democratic Party (WDP) led by Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, and Ford Kenya, led by Mr Moses Wetang’ula and other smaller parties has about 115 MPs.

By bringing UDF which has 11 MPs, Kanu (6) and New Ford-K (4) which all fall under the Amani Coalition, whose presidential candidate was Mr Musalia Mudavadi, Jubilee will have added 21 MPs to its ranks. APK, led by Meru senator-elect Kiraitu Murungi, has six MPs, CCU two and Mazingira has only one member.

“We have held meetings with leaders of the respective parties and reached an agreement. We have also secured the support of two independent candidates in URP strong holds to bolster our numbers,” said Mr Duale.

New Ford-K leader Eugene Wamalwa played down the initial agreement reports stating that some issues were still under discussion.

“When a concrete decision has been reached by all of us in the coalition, we will call a press conference and state it openly,” said Mr Wamalwa, the Justice minister.

However, Mr Murungi, the APK leader, said his party will work with the Jubilee Coalition inside and outside Parliament.

The party held its National Executive Council and National Governing Council meeting yesterday and resolved to formalise its political relationship with Jubilee.

Mr Murungi chaired the meeting at the party’s headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi. The meeting was attended by five of its newly elected MPs, two senators and one governor. The youngest elected MP, Buuri’s Kinoti Gatobu, who vied as an independent candidate also attended and said he would work with APK.

Mr Murungi down played differences between TNA and APK prior to the polls, saying his party supported Mr Kenyatta presidential bid.

“We have delivered a lot of votes for Uhuru Kenyatta,” Mr Murungi said.

According to him, Jubilee leaders have indicated “they have no problem with us ... we are already part of Jubilee only that we have not formalised our relationship”.

APK chairman Titus Ibui said both Jubilee and APK need each other.

“Jubilee will require numbers in the Senate and National Assembly. As the fifth strongest party in the House, Jubilee needs us as much as we need them,” Mr Ibui said.

Mr Munya said APK was going stronger and stronger and that it will benefit Jubilee with numbers.

Prof Kithure Kindiki, Tharaka Nithi senator-elect said no coalition has an absolute majority and there is no guarantee that there will be party loyalty.

Reported by Bernard Namunane and Lucas Barasa