GLANCE FACTS
The MoU
• Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and the late Internal Security Minister George Saitoti signed the protocol, in the presence of President Kibaki, binding them to the formation of a party that would unite the PNU coalition.
• APK has given Uhuru and Kalonzo three weeks to reconsider their association with the outfit
By Moses Njagih
The Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) has moved to entrench its independence after political leaders who had signed the agreement for its formation appeared to disown the outfit.
Party members appear keen to stamp their authority and move on after the failure by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka to subscribe to it, despite being key signatories to a protocol that led to its formation.
The two presidential hopefuls, together with the late Internal Security Minister George Saitoti signed the protocol, in the presence of President Kibaki, binding themselves to the formation of a party that would unite the PNU coalition.
The three had signed the document as leaders of their political parties, Kalonzo as leader of the then ODM Kenya, Uhuru as then chairman of Kanu, and Saitoti for PNU.
Kinangop MP, David Ngugi, who was representing other fringe parties under the coalition, was also a signatory to the protocol.
And although Uhuru and Kalonzo appeared to support the party’s formation, then as PNU Alliance, and actively taking part in its activities, they have since proceeded to solidify their presidential bids under other parties. The move has left APK leaders disappointed.
In an interview with the Standard On Sunday, Mr Kiraitu lashed at the two leaders saying they were the ones who had strongly lobbied for one political party.
“The party (APK) was not formed from the blues. It was a result of discussions and finally the protocol that the leaders signed, binding them to hold joint nominations for purposes of elections. It is disappointing that they have now disowned it and concentrated on their individual parties, when it is obvious that no party can win the presidency on its own,” said Kiraitu
At the party’s National Governing Council (NGC) held last week, the Energy minister declared that APK would engage other presidential aspirants if Uhuru and Kalonzo would not have made up their minds in three weeks to reconsider their association with the outfit.
“I want you to allow me to talk to Musalia Mudavadi and William Ruto, both of whom have showed interests in working with us, if nothing positive comes from Uhuru and Kalonzo,” said Kiraitu.
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