By AUGUSTINE ODUOR
Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta is now the official driver of the Alliance Party of Kenya bus. This is after he beat Vice- President Kalonzo Musyoka in party polls that saw 165 delegates vote for him against 58 for Mr Musyoka.
Total 256 votes were cast in a hotly contested duel that saw Coast and part of Eastern Province delegates walk out of the exercise, citing irregularities. Mr Johnstone Muthama, a close ally of Musyoka was conspicuously absent during the exercise even after his name was slotted in the programme.
The disgruntled delegates argued the voters were not vetted to ascertain whether they are bona fide party members. Party director of elections Peter Munya, however, insisted the elections were conducted freely and fairly. “Delegates from 44 of 47 counties voted. That means that almost the entire country has voted,” he said. Before the vote, the delegates had argued that they should field their own presidential candidates to drive the bus because Musyoka and Uhuru already have their political parties.
But Mr Munya said the decision to back either Uhuru or Musyoka follows a pact the two signed earlier with the late George Saitoti. He said the party would have preferred to field a candidate, but noted that the APK respects agreements entered to by its leaders. But even with the drama that did not paralyse the voting, party leader Kiraitu Murungi said that APK would field aspirants in all positions except for president. He said the party has put adequate measures in place for nominations and noted that all qualified aspirants would be granted a fair opportunity to compete.
However, Murungi expressed fears Uhuru, Musyoka, and Eldoret North MP William Ruto meeting may collapse again if the people do not free them to negotiate alliances.
“These leaders always agree during meetings to work together. But the moment they leave the meeting room the talks collapse,” he told the delegates.
Kiraitu narrated the sacrifices he made to bring the party to the level it is now. “I was ridiculed. I was laughed at, but I am happy we are where we are today because of sacrifices,” he said. He said the bus has officially left the stage to tour the whole country.
