Mudavadi joins hands with Kenneth to create 'third force'

By Roselyne Obala

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth are working on a pre-election deal.

The two leaders said they will create a coalition that will be the third horse in the coming election.

The coalition, they said, is meant to create a third force that will curtail the influence of ethnic-based alliances and offer Kenyans an alternative presidential candidate.

The move comes days after it emerged that talks to seal deal between Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Mudavadi had collapsed.

Mudavadi and Kenneth on Sunday said they will unveil their pre-election pact, which includes presidential aspirant Raphael Tuju, latest Tuesday morning.

The three, Mudavadi of UDF, Kenneth (KNC) and Tuju (POA) are said to be currently in serious talks to finalise the structure of their coalition.

Running mate

Mudavadi noted despite formation of the pact, he will not shelve his ambitions to vie for the presidency.

“Our talks with Wiper party are still on. The VP should be in a good position to clarify his recent remarks that he will name his running mate in January,” said Mudavadi.

It also emerged that the VP requested to meet Mudavadi yesterday evening. Mudavadi was to meet him after a rally with Kenneth in Kiambu.

Mudavadi said: “We are still pushing ahead with our talks. Kalonzo is free to join us along the way. As UDF negotiates with other political parties, I will push forward with my bid,” he explained. The DPM said together with his new team, they will front an alternative leadership structure to Kenyans that is all-inclusive.

“As talks progress, our doors are still open to other political parties interested in working together with us. It is gratifying that our pact has a national outlook,” he explained.

Mudavadi reiterated plans are at an advanced stage to unveil their pact.

“UDF as a party will maintain its national outlook. We will ensure we spread all over the republic,” he stated, adding that they will be avoid ethnic based alliances.

Mudavidi spoke after a church service at Ruthigitti PCEA in Kikuyu, Kiambu County where he attended with rival Kenneth.

“We are crafting a profile that will be interesting to people and easy to sell. We are going to offer a new chapter in the leadership of this country,” he said.

Kenneth confirmed that since last week, he has been holding talks with his opponents.

“We are coming together for the interest of Kenyans,” he said.

He continued, “Am happy that I met Tuju this morning before attending the church service with the DPM. This union will offer Kenyans an opportunity to elect leaders whose politics are issue based.

Devoid of tribalism

He strongly dismissed as speculations a notion that Kenya’s politics is centered between two individuals.

“Kenyans will not be boxed to think that there are only two forces in the race to succeed President Kibaki. There is a fresh leadership coming up,” he stated.

Kenneth said they want an alliance that will work for Kenyans and is devoid of tribalism.