Mt Kenya top guns sign election pact
Last updated on 9 Aug 2012 08:24
By Athman Amran
Four political parties have formed a coalition and decided to field Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as their 2013 presidential candidate.
Leaders of the Party of National Unity (PNU) the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), the Grand National Union (GNU) and The National Alliance (TNA) came up with what they call “Unity Agreement” after more than two hours of talks at the Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi on Wednesday. Martha Karua of Narc Kenya and Peter Kenneth of the Kenya National Congress who have declared their intention to run for State House, and refused to endorse Uhuru’s candidacy, were not party to the talks.
The pact signed by Uhuru (TNA), Kiraitu Murungi (APK), Amos Kimunya (PNU) and Mwangi Kiunjuri (GNU) takes effect immediately.
It was not immediately clear what would happen to other planned alliances earlier publicised by Uhuru and Kiraitu separate public rallies.
Uhuru and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa last month proposed that their TNA and New Ford Kenya parties work together.
Also in limbo is the so-called G7 alliance that is fast acquiring the tag of a grouping of convenience. Top leaders linked to the alliance include William Ruto of URP and Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper Democratic Movement. Both men have recently intensified their pre-election campaigns for the presidency.
Ruto has in recent weeks camped in the Mount Kenya region where he also expressed his willingness to take Kiraitu as his running mate, an offer the latter rejected.
On Wednesday, Uhuru promised to continue talking to like-minded parties with a hope of bringing them on board. Others who signed the document are APK chairman Titus Imbue, Finance minister Njeru Githae and Dr Stephen Karau.
The four parties will immediately deposit the necessary papers with the Registrar of Political Parties to give the alliance a legal status within the next two months.