Musalia Mudavadi's Amani in big political dilemma

Amani leader Musalia Mudavadi is keen on strengthening the coalition.

By STEPHEN MAKABILA and JACOB NGETICH                                          

Kenya: Amani Coalition, viewed by many as the country’s third political force, is at political cross-roads, even as it seeks to remain relevant a year after the General Election.

The coalition headed by UDF leader and former Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi,  is keen on chatting a new path but remains unsure  of which political route to take.

At a three-day retreat in Naivasha which ended yesterday, members admitted the coalition was not within the ‘national political radar’ and that much has to be done to re-energise the outfit.

 The Naivasha retreat was only attended by members from UDF and New Ford-Kenya headed by former Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa, with representatives from a key partner, Kanu, missing in action.

 “I have apologies from our friends in Kanu who have indicated they will be with us tomorrow. I do not know which tomorrow but it can also mean in the future,” Mudavadi told those attending the retreat on Friday afternoon.

Later, Mudavadi told The Standard on Sunday in an interview that he had discussions with Kanu chairman and Baringo county Senator Gideon Moi earlier in the week in Nairobi, and that all was well and Kanu was still part of the coalition.

Kakamega Senator Bonny Khalwale, a UDF member who did not attend the retreat, yesterday told The Standard on Sunday that the Amani coalition only exists in the minds of Mudavadi and Wamalwa.

Jubilee marriage

“I did not attend because Amani coalition died after the last General Election. I have told Mudavadi and Wamalwa before to abandon the Jubilee marriage and go back to drawing board,” added Khalwale.

At one time, there was debate on whether the issue of discipline on errant coalition members should be discussed, but UDF noted it would deal with the matter at party, and not at coalition level.

Were such matters to be discussed, Khalwale’s name was to top the list, given he campaigned against Amani during last December’s Bungoma Senatorial by-election.

There were also heated debate on whether or not Amani should disengage from Jubilee, and whether it should form and register as a political party, with UDF and NFK joining as corporate members, or whether NFK should join UDF as a corporate member.

What the retreat unanimously agreed to was that the name Amani be retained and be made the coalition’s brand name.

It is out of the contentious issues that a 12-man technical committee was formed to help address them and report back to the party leaders in a month’s time.

 Amani MPs in attendance included   Ayub Savula, Janet Nangabo, Benard Shinali, Dan Wanyama, Alfred Agoi and  Ben Washiali.

Mudavadi in an interview with The Standard on Sunday noted the technical team will look at the legality and pros and cons of either strengthening the Amani coalition as one party or strengthening individual political parties.

 “The committee will make strategic recommendations on strengthening the Coalition and to review its co-operation agreements with Jubilee Coalition and to reflect on matters of national concern,” said the former Deputy Prime Minister.

Mudavadi noted the Amani Coalition had resolved to strengthen itself through its partner parties with a view to merge and to operate independently as an alternative voice for Kenyans.

UDF, NFK and Kanu all signed separate post-election agreements with the Jubilee coalition after the March 4, 2013 general election.

The Amani retreat  came  at a time some if the coalition feel they have not benefitted much from their association with the Jubilee government, after both Mudavadi and Wamalwa were left out of the cabinet appointments by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto.

“Article 3 (iii) of the Amani coalition agreement states that should a chance for cabinet appointment arise and be afford to the Amani coalition, the supporting principal should secure the position, in this case Wamalwa,” noted NFK Secretary-General Canon Benjamin Mwema.

A section of leaders from Mudavadi and Wamalwa’s stronghold of Western, have, however, been urging President Uhuru Kenyatta to consider Mudavadi for a Cabinet appointment, given his seniority and experience.

The former Deputy Prime Minister  has personally noted he had at no time expressed interest in securing a Cabinet appointment, and that his focus was to consolidate UDF party and Amani coalition, with eyes on the presidency in the next General Election in the year 2017. The Naivasha retreat  was sponsored by Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA).

The South-African based EISA, with field offices in Kenya, Chad, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, strives for excellence in the promotion of credible elections, citizen participation, and the strengthening of political institutions for sustainable democracy in the Africa continent.

At the end of the retreat yesterday, the coalition noted politics of exclusion, regionalism and marginalization has characterized resource allocation and led to unmanaged state of insecurity, while orchestrated scheme to paralyses, water-down and political intent to kill devolution is now self evident

“On the basis of our promise to the Kenyan people during the last campaigns, and drawing from our manifesto, we want to promise Kenyan people that we will be steadfast in fighting for the rights of the Kenyan people and put Jubilee government in check,”  read the coalition’s communiqué.