Political parties kick off grassroots polls ahead of 2012

By VINCENT MABATUK

Political parties have begun recruitment of new members to strategise for the 2012 General Election.

Some of the parties have begun building structure and strengthening themselves at county levels in conformity with the new Constitution.

In Baringo County, Narc-Kenya started the recruitment of new members. Party chairman Francis Koskei said the flower party is outlining its strategy to woo voters in readiness for the elections.

Speaking at the Kabarnet Municipal Hall after launching the county executive committee, Mr Koskei said they were targeting new members following the anticipated falling out in ODM.

He said the party was gaining momentum in the region.

"The flower party is ready to accommodate all who may wish to join it," said Koskei.

And in Nakuru County, former Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara has been elected the local Narc-Kenya chairperson.

The elections that took place at a Nakuru hotel and attended by delegates from all branches in the county, saw former Rongai MP Alicen Chelaite elected the party treasurer. Joseph Omondi was elected secretary-general while Vitalis Kahendah is the youth leader.

Mr Kihara said they decided to hold the elections at county level so that the party would be in conformity with provisions in the new Constitution.

FOLLOW SUIT

"We do not want to be left behind as a party and we have moved fast to ensure we have structure at county level," said Kihara.

Other political parties planning elections include ODM, Ford-Kenya and Ford-People.

More parties are likely to follow suit, and possible fallouts expected.

This comes as the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal was finally put in place, after a long wait (more than two years). The tribunal’s formation is timely given the registrar has directed political parties to hold elections, which may lead to many realignments hence disputes as we approach 2012.

Meanwhile, Ford People Nakuru branch executive committee members have resolved to back former Cabinet minister Henry Obwocha for the party’s national chairmanship in elections to be held at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi on Thursday.

Led by Mr Edward Maina, the officials appealed to the party fraternity to give Obwocha the chance to head the party.