It is all out war

By STANDARD TEAM

Christmas and end-of-year mood has set in but not so to those aspiring for the Presidency with just 12 days to go before 2012 - the year of transition from third to fourth President. It would also the first election under the Constitution promulgated last year.

Sunday might have been a Sunday but for the ‘Big Five’ it was another day of fighting to try and improve their chances in next year’s elections. Four of them were in action in Nairobi while another was in Naivasha, and the impression they radiated is one of leaving nothing to chance, the battle is on and there is no let up, and 2012 would be the mother of all battles.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga was in Kibera, Eldoret North MP William Ruto in Eastlands, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka off Thika Road, and Internal security minister Prof George Saitoti traversing Gilgil.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s advance party was already in Kisii with a harambee to lead only to be cancelled at the Eleventh Hour because someone told him there were plans by one of his rivals in the race for State House to document the function through a recording and later use it against him should a court rule on an early election date next month.

Strong tip-off

The new Elections Act, which went into force this month, decrees that those seeking elective office should keep off harambees eight months to the national exercise, and according to Uhuru’s ally, Education minister Sam Ongeri, the tip-off was strong and Uhuru, fearing it may be used to block him from running, chose the safer option, which was to opt out of the Kisii rally.

Separately, Uhuru announced the plans he has for Kanu to reclaim power 10 years after National Rainbow Coalition knocked it off the top pedestal, while he was its flag-bearer. The Gatundu South MP revealed Kanu has three options through; either to go it alone or independently; through a pre-election; or post-election coalition.

"The Kanu constitution will provide for mergers, but we will make sure our party takes the lead in such an arrangement,’’ Uhuru announced after leaving the National Executive Council and Parliamentary Group meeting in Naivasha.

With his plans focused on next year’s elections, it was also announced Kanu will work with like-minded leaders, an option that will allow it to operate with groups like the G7 Alliance to which Uhuru belongs, and which counts among its members Eldoret North MP William Ruto, Vice President, Kalonzo Musyoka, Saboti MP Eugene Wamalwa and Cabinet minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere.

Kanu will also mobilise funds to take advantage of technology and the digital revolution to open a TV station, radio station, run its own newspaper and acquire its own printing press.

During the Naivasha retreat, the party also proposed setting up an advisory council of seven ministries only.

Raila told supports in his Langata constituency his Orange Democratic Movement was prepared for the coming elections. "Let next year’s elections be free and fair. It would be a challenging year and we all remember what happened four years ago. We don’t want to go there again," said Raila.

He asked the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to prepare for free and fair elections as the country heads into the election year. He argued that the chaos that followed 2007 General Election were largely due to mismanaged elections and called for credible polls to avoid a repeat of the violence.

In Donholm, Ruto claimed some ‘Smart Alecs’ (know-it-alls) were spreading lies to create an impression all was not well in the United Democratic Movement whose ticket he intends to use to run for President. He vowed they would not succeed in stopping UDM from spreading its popularity across Kenya

"UDM has already recruited one million members as required by the Political Parties Act and we are now almost reaching the five million membership target," boasted Ruto.

He said UDM was recruiting members after which they will hold elections to give the party a clear leadership structure.

Leadership vacuum

He denied claims there were cracks in the party and argued those making statements perceived to demonstrate the party is divided were doing so because of the leadership vacuum.

"UDM is the party to watch because we are going to come up with a formidable team to win the 2012 elections," said Ruto. He also accused President Kibaki and Raila of engaging in horse-trading when pushing through key public appointments and gave the example of the controversial nominations to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. He questioned why the nominations were not based on the order of ranking by the Selection Panel.

Mr Ruto said he was only in ODM ‘technically’ because he quit the party long ago and his UDM party was now the party of choice in Kenya.

Ruto was in Donholm to meet members of the public and join them at a Thanksgiving service a week to Christmas.

Kalonzo focused on the expected coming transition saying all efforts must be made to make the handover of power peaceful and smooth.

"President Kibaki will not be on the ballot paper next year and he is committed to transferring power in a peaceful and democratic manner. We need to have more leaders like him," he said.

Saitoti, who addressed at least 300 professionals from the Maa Community drawn from Kajiado, Laikipia, Samburu and Narok counties, at Lake Elementaita Country Lodge, said he was going for nothing less than the Presidency next year.

"I have assured them that I will be seeking the Presidency and I am not going to be compromised to run for a lower position," Saitoti told journalists after the meeting.

He said the meeting was part of his plans for winning the coming elections. Among those in Saitoti’s meetings were Kilgoris MP Gideon Konchellah, Transport Licensing Board Chairman Hassan ole Kamwaro and Maasai land rights crusader Prof Meitamei ole Dapash.

During last week’s Jamhuri Day celebrations, President Kibaki also rooted for peaceful elections, saying the government has put in place machinery to ensure credible polls. Kibaki also challenged aspirants to put the interest of Kenya first, and shun divisive politics.

— Stories by Peter Opiyo, Peter Orengo, Ally Jamah and Vitalis Kimutai