By Moses Njagih

The Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) has moved to entrench its independence after political leaders who had signed the agreement for its formation appeared to disown the outfit.

Party members appear keen to stamp their authority and move on after the failure by Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka to subscribe to it, despite being key signatories to a protocol that led to its formation.

The two presidential hopefuls, together with the late Internal Security Minister George Saitoti signed the protocol, in the presence of President Kibaki, binding themselves to the formation of a party that would unite the PNU coalition.

The three had signed the document as leaders of their political parties, Kalonzo as leader of the then ODM Kenya, Uhuru as then chairman of Kanu, and Saitoti for PNU.

Kinangop MP, David Ngugi, who was representing other fringe parties under the coalition, was also a signatory to the protocol.

And although Uhuru and Kalonzo appeared to support the party’s formation, then as PNU Alliance, and actively taking part in its activities, they have since proceeded to solidify their presidential bids under other parties.  The move has left APK leaders disappointed.

In an interview with the Standard On Sunday, Mr Kiraitu lashed at the two leaders saying they were the ones who had strongly lobbied for one political party.

“The party (APK) was not formed from the blues. It was a result of discussions and finally the protocol that the leaders signed, binding them to hold joint nominations for purposes of elections. It is disappointing that they have now disowned it and concentrated on their individual parties, when it is obvious that no party can win the presidency on its own,” said Kiraitu

At the party’s National Governing Council (NGC) held last week, the Energy minister declared that APK would engage other presidential aspirants if Uhuru and Kalonzo would not have made up their minds in three weeks to reconsider their association with the outfit.

“I want you to allow me to talk to Musalia Mudavadi and William Ruto, both of whom have showed interests in working with us, if nothing positive comes from Uhuru and Kalonzo,” said Kiraitu.

Independent programmes

Mr Ruto and Mr Mudavadi have in the past appeared to court Kiraitu and his team from Embu and Meru, including Siakago MP Lenny Kivuti.

The region is a strong APK base and the presidential aspirants know that winning their support could be crucial for their State House bid.

Kivuti and Kangundo MP Johnstone Muthama, an ally of Kalonzo, supported Kiraitu’s position on the need to engage other leaders, saying Uhuru and the VP appear to treat APK with contempt.

“It is the position of NGC that party considers other candidates who are not party to the protocol as well, since the two signatories appears reluctant to work with APK and yet none of them has ever negated the protocol,” said Kivuti, party acting first deputy party leader. Muthama added: “The two remaining signatories have never come to tell us that the protocol is not working and so they have opted to consider other options.”

“We have remained in the party because it was them who told us that they wanted us to form a party on which they would hold joint nominations and contest the elections, but now together with Kiraitu we are tired of their schemes,” added Muthama, but stated Kalonzo was still party to the protocol. ?

Mr Kivuti said there was need to move on with independent programmes after the NGC approved party officials on acting capacity, awaiting the ratification of the National Delegates Conference.

“The National Executive Council (NEC) had made proposals to fill key positions so that the party has a strong mandate to carry out ongoing negotiations for a coalition,” he said and disclosed that APK was involved in the Tribe Hotel negotiations where like-minded parties are working on a possibility of a coalition.

He added: “The NEC proposals (for party officials) were approved by NGC on acting basis because they will be subjected for ratification by the party’s NDC so that they become substantive office holders”.