By Athman Amran

Four political parties have formed a coalition and decided to field Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta as their 2013 presidential candidate.

Leaders of the Party of National Unity (PNU) the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), the Grand National Union (GNU) and The National Alliance (TNA) came up with what they call “Unity Agreement” after more than two hours of talks at the Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi on Wednesday. Martha Karua of Narc Kenya and Peter Kenneth of the Kenya National Congress who have declared their intention to run for State House, and refused to endorse Uhuru’s candidacy, were not party to the talks.

The pact signed by Uhuru (TNA), Kiraitu Murungi (APK), Amos Kimunya (PNU) and Mwangi Kiunjuri (GNU) takes effect immediately.

It was not immediately clear what would happen to other planned alliances earlier publicised by Uhuru and Kiraitu separate public rallies.

Uhuru and Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa last month proposed that their TNA and New Ford Kenya parties work together.

Also in limbo is the so-called G7 alliance that is fast acquiring the tag of a grouping of convenience. Top leaders linked to the alliance include William Ruto of URP and Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper Democratic Movement. Both men have recently intensified their pre-election campaigns for the presidency.

Ruto has in recent weeks camped in the Mount Kenya region where he also expressed his willingness to take Kiraitu as his running mate, an offer the latter rejected.

On Wednesday, Uhuru promised to continue talking to like-minded parties with a hope of bringing them on board. Others who signed the document are APK chairman Titus Imbue, Finance minister Njeru Githae and Dr Stephen Karau.

The four parties will immediately deposit the necessary papers with the Registrar of Political Parties to give the alliance a legal status within the next two months.

Apart from Ruto, Kalonzo and Wamalwa, Uhuru appears keen to rope in other G7 leaders into the new alliance.

Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi of the United Republican Party has expressed interest in working with Uhuru and Ruto.

It, however, emerged  on Wednesday that Uhuru had quietly approached the four parties for their support resulting in  Wednesday’s luncheon and the signing of the agreement.

Common manifesto

“We want to form a strong political entity that will take over Government next year,” Uhuru said adding, “I believe we will be able to put together a winning combination to take on whoever will be contesting against us,” Uhuru said.

Uhuru said there is no individual party that can win the next elections, arguing that the aim is to come up with a common manifesto, policy and programme.

“I have always been ready to talk with other presidential candidates so that we can pick one that can win elections,” he said adding that he would be willing to support any candidate that would come through a transparent and acceptable process.

Kimunya said they have realised that they have been looking for the same thing, namely Uhuru.

“We hope we will have the necessary paperwork to register and make things legal,” Kimunya said.

Kiraitu said after consultations the APK has agreed that the best candidate is Uhuru.

“The driver of the ‘bus’ is now obvious,” Kiraitu said, adding that the new alliance has now mandated Uhuru to look for other like-minded leaders to join him.

“Kenyatta will now talk with other presidential candidates,” Kiraitu said adding that the new alliance wants to win the next elections with a landslide’.

Kiraitu had been claiming that Uhuru, Kalonzo and the late PNU chairman Prof George Saitoti had signed an agreement that they would choose one among them to be the APK’s presidential candidate. At that time the agreement was also signed at the Norfolk Hotel when APK was known as the PNU-Alliance.

But  on Wednesday Kiraitu indicated that APK has already got its presidential candidate, leaving out Kalonzo, who was the only other signatory of the MoU after the death of Saitoti.

The new memorandum of understanding drafted  Wednesday and read to the Press by Githae stated that the parties agreed to form, promote and strengthen their coalition into a united, cohesive and effective political alliance.

They also agreed to support and commit to one common manifesto, policy agenda and programme of action to be implemented by the next Government.

They intend to win with “an overwhelming majority” the presidential, national and county elections, and to ensure that the elected members of Parliament shall work as a team in support of the manifesto and programme of action.

Also agreed is to put in place coalition structures nationwide, including wards, constituencies, counties and national levels. The parties intend to work with other like-minded parties to ensure that they win the forthcoming General Election.

Pool resources

“Coalition partners shall combine and pool their resources and have joint structures, common policy agenda and ran joint campaigns,” the MoU says.

Other aspects agreed on include promoting unity, national cohesion, peace and prosperity among Kenyans, pursue the full implementation of the constitution and uphold the rule of law and to form an inclusive progressive Government.

The partners have also agreed to ensure that all coalition activities are conducted in compliance with the Constitution and the laws of Kenya.

They agreed to initiate and sustain empowerment programmes for women to secure their effective participation in public affairs, and to give the youth prominent positions in public leadership and business.

They also promised to eliminate of all forms inequality, paying special attention to minorities and other marginalised or vulnerable groups.