By Leonard Korir

President Kibaki’s Party of National Unity (PNU) may soon unite with Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s URP if Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchellah has his way.

Mr Konchellah, who has taken over the leadership of PNU after the death of former Internal Security minister George Saitoti, has already given an indication that he backs Mr Ruto’s bid for the presidency.

Some observers say that Mr Konchellah may have goofed by endorsing the presidential bid of a candidate from another political party even before his party’s National Delegates Conference (NDC) met to debate whether or not to field candidate.

Last week, Mr Konchellah downplayed his proposal that PNU backs G-7 for the presidency, saying only the PNU National Executive Council (NEC) could make such a decision. “Mine was just a suggestion,” he said.

In 2007, PNU, which was a conglomeration of a number of small parties, elected the highest number of MPs to Parliament after ODM.

Today, the party appears to be facing an uncertain future even as its acting chairman puts on a brave face.

Mr Konchela’s announcement recently that the party that propelled President Kibaki to his second term in office in the chaotic 2007 elections would not field a presidential candidate in the forthcoming polls has sparked fears over its future in national politics.

He said that with the death of Saitoti in a helicopter crash last month, there was a feeling the party should now back one of the G-7 members to succeed President Kibaki.

Analysts believe that without a presidential candidate, PNU could soon fizzle into oblivion. These fears come amid reports that cracks were emerging in the party over its leadership.  Mr Konchellah has since dismissed the emerging cracks in the party caused by those opposing his new role saying it was the democratic right of any member to demand a leadership position in the party. 

He said it was unfortunate that those making the loudest noise had long abandoned the party and have just realised they need to come back.

However, the Kilgoris MP says he was the best person to inherit Saitoti’s mantle.

“I don’t see why my colleagues are not satisfied with me taking the party’s top position yet as per the party’s arrangement, the chairmanship position was a slot reserved for the Rift Valley. There is no way it can be taken by a member from another region because every region has its own slot,” said Mr Konchellah.

The soft spoken former Immigration minister exuded confidence that he would fit in Saitoti’s shoes and appealed to his opponents to support him for the sake of party unity.

“It is time we shelved our individual interests and put forward the interest of the millions of Kenyans who are the owners of the party. Endless bickering will not help especially at this time when we are headed for a crucial election,” he said.

Speaking to The County Weekly, Mr Konchellah said most of those who have deserted the party have found their ‘new buses’ immobile because they are merely founded on selfishness and suspicion.

“PNU is the party owned by the people unlike some other parties which have owners,” said Mr Konchellah.

Analysts warn that PNU could be headed for a tough future and imminent collapse following the death of Saitoti, who had the resources to oil the party’s campaigns.

Raising eyebrows

“PNU became an orphan when Saitoti passed on and those left seemed to have fallen apart. The vigour which the party had has since vanished,” said Paul Lemiso, a political analyst.

Mr Lemiso says with the regional political interests, PNU had disintegrated and even lacks the resources to launch a massive campaign as the main financiers have shifted allegiance to other parties. 

Mr Konchellah’s recent appearance at United Republic Party (URP) public rallies in his constituency has raised eyebrows and left many wondering about his intentions. His hint of an alliance between URP and PNU even raised more questions than answers with some pundits concluding that PNU was heading for a collapse.

While addressing a URP rally In Kilgoris, Mr Konchellah said PNU would not field a presidential candidate in the next polls but would instead back whoever would be nominated from G7.

He said the party has resolved to contest for other elective seats and sacrifice the presidential seat for the sake of unity.

“To avoid the wrangles being witnessed in the G7, we will soon seek President Kibaki’s intervention and further advice since he is the most senior politician,” said Mr Konchellah.

He argued that since President Kibaki was a PNU member and was proceeding on retirement, it was needless for the party to field another presidential candidate. It would be wiser to give other like-minded parties a chance to contest for the State House job.

Heeding calls

Mr Konchellah, a former Kenya Army colonel, has been under pressure from former PNU MPs such as Ekwee Ethuro (Turkana Central) to decamp to URP. Mr Ethuro told Mr Konchellah during the URP rally in Kilgoris that a large number of PNU members had joined URP and that it was time he also joined them.

Mr Konchellah, whose roots are traced to Uasin Gishu County, finds himself at a crossroads after his constituents from Uasin Gishu to support ‘their son’, Mr Ruto.

In his tour of the area, Mr Ruto was warmly welcomed by members of the Uasin Gishu clan residing in Keyian division and was even forced to address the rally in the Kalenjin language.

“I know you all came from my constituency and I have no doubt that I am at home and you will all support me in the next elections as I find my way to State House,” said Mr Ruto.

He told Mr Konchellah to heed the calls by his constituents and join URP, which has attracted a big following in the region.

“I would like to challenge my brother Konchellah that the majority of PNU parliamentarians have since joined us (URP) and there is no reason why he should be left alone. Kiraitu Murungi has gone his way and others like Chirau Ali Makwere have decamped to our group. We should now concentrate on building a strong party to cater for the interests of the vast Rift Valley, “said Mr Ruto.  

Mr Konchellah endorsed Mr Ruto’s presidential bid and told him he was free to campaign in his constituency even in his absence.