Discontent in Amani as calls for split with Jubilee are criticised

By KENNEDY OKWATCH

Kakamega, Kenya: Calls by a section of leaders in the Amani coalition for the alliance to end cooperation with the Jubilee government has split the United Democratic Forum (UDF) party down the middle.

Both Kakamega and Vihiga senators, Dr Boni Khalwale and George Khaniri have called for the Amani coalition to pull out from the coalition, a move a section of MPs allied to UDF have strongly opposed.

Lugari MP Ayub Savula, Ben Washiali (Mumias East) and Emmanuel Wagwe (Navakholo) are some of those opposed to the move by the senators.

Vihiga Senator Khaniri kicked off the storm when he claimed that promises agreed upon by the two coalitions soon after the 2013 general election are yet to be fulfilled.

“We have not benefitted from associating with the ruling coalition and continuing with this relationship is unreasonable because we are not consulted on matters that pertain to the two parties,” Khaniri said in an interview with The Standard.

Apparently the storm emanated from a meeting which was recently held in Naivasha which brought together affiliate parties from New Ford Kenya, Kanu and UDF.

During the meeting, chaired by Amani coalition leader Musalia Mudavadi, to review its performance since last year’s General Election, a number of issues came up, including whether Amani should continue its partnership with President Uhuru Kenyatta’s and his deputy William Ruto’s coalition.

“The meeting in Naivasha resolved to sever links with the president’s party. And that is what we should be doing,” Khaniri said.

However, Kibisu Kabatesi, Musalia Mudavadi’s spokesman, put the record straight saying it was resolved that a technical committee, comprising 12 members, be formed to review the partnership  agreement with jubilee coalition and give its report within 21 days.

However, a group led by Washiali termed the suggestions to part ways with Jubilee as misplaced and said the declaration made last weekend is “a decision by the minority”.

“We support concerns raised at the meeting about our engagement with Jubilee but the proposal to pull out of the post-election pact was not discussed,” he said.