Kanu regrouped yesterday after a stint in ODM Kenya and resolved to build a coalition with any party ahead of the December General Election.
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| Together again: Kanu members Nicholas Biwott (left) and Uhuru Kenyatta, who were leading rival factions at a meeting to unite the two groups yesterday. Photo/JOSEPH MATHENGE |
Former rivals Uhuru Kenyatta and Nicholas Biwott led a meeting of 24 MPs from both factions in Nairobi that saw East African Cooperation minister John Koech return to the party.
“I have always been in Kanu? I have never gone anywhere…I have never supported Narc Kenya,” said the Chepalungu MP
Among surprise visitors were Ntonyiri MP Maoka Maore, who defected to the Democratic Party of Kenya recently and declared his support for President Kibaki’s re-election, and Home Affairs assistant minister Hussein Maalim Mohammed.
Before the polls
Baringo Central MP Gideon Moi – a key ODM supporter – attended the meeting at Hotel Inter-Continental in Nairobi perceived as an attempt to unite the party and build bridges before the polls.
The former President Moi’s son is said to have an ear for his father who is strongly opposed to ODM.
The announcement closed any possibility of the Kanu wing leaning towards Mr Kenyatta returning to the Orange movement.
The move now leaves secretary-general William Ruto, vice-chairmen Henry Kosgey, Chris Okemo and Dalmas Otieno and a few MPs still in the movement.
Mr Ruto is fighting it out for the ODM presidential ticket with Mr Raila Odinga Mr Najib Balala, Dr Julia Ojiambo, Mr Joseph Nyaga, Mr Musalia Mudavadi and Mr Kalonzo Musyoka. President Kibaki appointed some Kanu MPs to the Government of National Unity. Several of them have already joined Narc Kenya.
Yesterday’s meeting is an indication that the 47-year old party had pulled out of ODM-K and will go it alone in the election or team up with other groups.
The move comes a day after Mr Kenyatta warmed up to Labour Party of Kenya and Shirikisho Party in efforts to build an alliance. The team, comprising Mr Kenyatta, Mr Musyoka and Dr Ojiambo, seems to herald an emerging third force.
The three leaders have openly expressed displeasure with their ODM colleagues.
Mr Odinga has dismissed Kanu’s chances of making a serious comeback claiming most of its members had joined the movement.
Whereas Mr Kenyatta and Mr Musyoka insist that ODM was a coalition, Mr Odinga says it is a party of individuals.
Bearing fruit
Yesterday’s political development is a further indication that former President Moi’s efforts to unite the warring Kanu factions and de-link it from ODM-K was bearing fruit.
Mr Moi, who has warm relations with Mr Kenyatta and Mr Biwott, has declared his support for President Kibaki, dismissing ODM-K as a “confused and tribal outfit”.
And as a sign of reciprocation, Mr Kibaki recently appointed the former President a Special Envoy for peace in the Sudan. Both Mr Kenyatta and Mr Biwott said the party would have significant influence in the December elections. |
