By Joseph Muchiri
Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) leader Kiraitu Murungi has called on Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Deputy Prime Ministers Uhuru Kenyatta and Musalia Mudavadi to unite.
During a meeting with various county seat aspirants from Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties in Embu town, Kiraitu said APK has already consulted Uhuru and Mudavadi and is reaching out to Kalonzo.
The APK party leader ruled out the possibility of any presidential aspirant making it to State House on their own.
“Even President Kibaki didn’t win with a landslide victory in 2002 with only the help of his community, he got the backing of all Kenyans,” said Kiraitu.
He added the next president must receive backing from across Kenya.
The minister pointed out that in the next government, a president without majority MPs in Parliament would find it hard to make appointments such as of permanent secretaries and ambassadors.
Tribal entity
The minister told the gathering that Mt Kenya East community should not be told APK was a tribal entity since it was like any other party from other regions.
He said APK would work with people from other regions.
He encouraged Mt Kenya region residents and APK members not to fear to support their preferred presidential candidate, giving the analogy that when anyone that wants to eat honey should not fear bees.
The Imenti South MP said working together with other parties would be based on friendship of equality.
Ethnic diversity
At the same time, Kiraitu called for unity of all communities, saying ethnic diversity should form the basis of identity and consequently development rather than the genesis of enmity.
Kiraitu said he was only interested in the position of Senator for Meru County. He was accompanied by deputy party leader Lenny Kivuti and Manyatta MP Emilio Kathuri.
Kivuti said APK is working with The National Alliance.
The Siakago MP noted Embu County led in membership of APK with 108,000 members.
Kathuri said he has joined APK and pledged to support Uhuru.
