By LILLIAN ALUANGA-DELVAUX
Major pronouncements are expected this weekend and in coming days as presidential hopefuls resume their pre-campaign rallies.
These include high-level defections and changes in alliances as leaders angle for a spot in an expected Cabinet reshuffle — possibly the last in the Grand Coalition.
The contenders go back on the road after a lull in activity following the death of one of their number, alongside five other people, in a helicopter crash two weeks ago.
During that time there have been several developments with a bearing plans for the trials of two hopefuls at The Hague, and the presentation of the last Budget statement of the Kibaki Administration.
Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is expected back in the country today from Moscow, Russia, is scheduled to address a rally at the Gusii Stadium, Kisii, tomorrow. The event will be the culmination of a four-day tour by ‘ODM Reloaded’ team led by South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya.
For the second day, the team has focused on Parliament’s changes to the Elections and Political Parties Act that fly in the face of the provisions of the Constitution.
Friday, ODM MPs said they have prepared a Motion of no confidence against the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee Chair Abdikadir Mohamed.
Gwasi MP John Mbadi accused Abdikadir of abdicating his responsibility to oversee implementation of the Constitution. The Mandera Central MP riled them by insisting Parliament was free to legislate on elections and parties without heeding the implementation commission.
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, the Wiper Democratic Movement leader, will for the first time hold a joint rally with Mvita MP Najib Balala in the former Tourism minister’s constituency. Balala recently announced he would be seeking the Mombasa Senate seat on a Unity Party of Kenya ticket after decamping from ODM.
Kalonzo has a packed schedule with meetings lined up for the weekend in Kathiani, Mombasa, and Bura. Today, he is expected at the ongoing National Olympics trials at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi and at the annual Secondary School Heads meeting in Mombasa. Friday, Kalonzo was in his constituency to lay a foundation stone for the proposed Sh3 billion Tseikuru Technical Training Institute.
Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki, who was present, put Kalonzo and Party of National Unity affiliate parties on notice that they must forge a united front and present a suitable presidential candidate or forget about the presidency.
Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, heads to Tana River County before returning to Tetu constituency in Nyeri. A meeting scheduled for Meru was cancelled at the last minute with the Deputy PM’s Director of Communications Munyori Buku promising a programme would be out later.
