Wamalwa to battle out other aspirants in coalition deal

By FREDRICK OBURA

New Ford-Kenya party leader Eugene Wamalwa will have to battle it out with other presidential aspirants on the Pambazuko Coalition ticket.

The coalition, which was signed yesterday, brings together New Vision Party, Federal Party of Kenya, Shirikisho, and New Ford-Kenya.

The pact will see affiliate parties front a joint candidate to face off with rivals in the March 4 General Election.

According to the deal, the coalition’s flagbearer will be elected by the National Delegates Committee.

Those who will be seeking the alliance’s ticket include Eugene Wamalwa (New Ford Kenya), Cyrus Jirongo (Federal Party of Kenya) and Nicholas Biwott (New Vision Party of Kenya).

“We have been told that this race would be a two horse race; I will not be anybody’s running mate or accept Speaker’s position,” said Wamalwa.

 “Kenyans should not be limited to making choices, this is a third force coalition whose sole agenda is built on uniting our people irrespective of tribe and other affiliations,” he said.

He said the Pambazuko Coalition would exploit and tap the country’s abundant natural resources to create wealth.

He noted that Kenya had enough resources and only needed the right leadership to midwife its harnessing.

“Ours will be to exploit opportunities in the country for the benefit of all; we will push for the full implementation of reforms,” he said.

Signing of the deal puts to rest speculation that the New Ford-Kenya party leader was headed for a pact with ODM’s Raila Odinga after abandoning TNA-URP Coalition.