Kiraitu, Uhuru in alliance talks

The Alliance Party of Kenya is holding talks to strike a working deal with Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s new political vehicle in the next elections.

Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi disclosed his party’s move as the effects of the launch of The National Alliance (TNA) by Mr Kenyatta begun to sink in his back yard of Central Kenya.

“Consultations are going on between his party and our party to see how we can work together. We have also called a delegates meeting this Saturday,” he said.

The minister said changes in the political arena have made it impossible even for leaders who believe they have the clout to go it alone in an election.

That was the reason, he said, Mr Kenyatta had stretched his hands to other parties willing to work with him.

“The political game has changed and even he (Mr Kenyatta) knows he cannot work alone and that is why his message was clear,” he said.

Mr Kenyatta quit Kanu promising to make his new party the political home of voters in the country.

However, the presence of most MPs from the Central Kenya signalled that TNA will be the party on whose ticket they will vie the next elections.

“The TNA government will go where you want it to… but it will be responsible for its actions,” he said.

Mr Kenyatta will have to contend with Internal Security minister George Saitoti of PNU, Planning assistant minister Peter Kenneth (Kenya National Congress), Gichugu MP Martha Karua (Narc Kenya) and former Kabete MP Paul Muite of Safina who have all declared their intentions to vie for the presidency in the next elections.

Assistant minister Mwangi Kiunjuri’s GNU is fighting for its share of votes in the region and so is the United Democratic Front (UDF) whose officials include assistant ministers Muriithi Ndiriitu, Kabando wa Kabando and Ndaragwa MP Njeremiah Kioni.

Single candidate

The Democratic Party, which was founded by President Kibaki after he quit the government in 1991, has already settled on Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi as its candidate.

Mr Kenyatta said they were ready to work— and even merge-with like-minded parties.

Among those who attended TNA’s launch were Eldoret North MP William Ruto (United Republican Party) and Justice minister Eugene Wamalwa (New Ford Kenya), members of the G7 Alliance.

The group is working out plans to field a single presidential candidate during the March 4, 2013 elections.