“Uhuru wants to enter into a legal agreement with political parties through organs empowered to enter into such pacts,” Buku told The Standard On Sunday. He said the DPM wanted to avoid the 2007 scenario where Kibaki was voted overwhelmingly but was denied the numbers in Parliament as a result of different political parties sponsoring MPs.
“You need the numbers in Parliament to push the Government agenda. That is why the DPM wants structured talks that will ensure the same is achieved,” said Mr Buku.
Assistant minister Kareke Mbiuki also confirmed there were talks to support one presidential candidate.
“Although I have not seen the document, I can confirm the talks have been going on and the protocol is likely to be signed on Tuesday between party officials,” said Mbiuki.
He said the structured talks were necessitated by the need to involve party organs as opposed to individuals “some of whom are very unpopular even in their parties.”
“We are tired of these boardroom meetings in Nairobi which are held by individuals who have no blessings of their parties,” said the Nithi MP.
Another source familiar with the negotiations said Uhuru is unlikely to accept an alliance of individuals.
“He wants a deal through which all the parties are equal partners because we all have a shared vision for the country. He is not keen on putting personalities first,” said the source warning that the Narc Memorandum of Understanding ruptured because it was based on personalities.
According to the document, the stakeholders would agree on joint nominations at all levels, identify other like-minded political parties and draw them to the Unity Pact and run joint campaigns to popularise the deal.
The parties will constitute a common policy agenda on implementation of the Constitution, national and county issues, establish joint management structures and determine how membership to the Unity Pact shall be drawn.
Selecting aspirants
If it is adopted, the pact envisages a situation where the parties would present one candidate for presidentcy, National and County positions and finally work out how the parties in the Grand Alliance would be coordinated during the nomination.
