Leaders oppose PNU’s radical reform proposals

By Standard Team

Party of National Unity (PNU) affiliates drew further apart as proposals to merge the parties hit turbulence.

New Ford-Kenya, DP, Safina, Kanu and Ford-Kenya dismissed the merger proposal saying PNU should first strengthen itself. They said hurrying the merger would lead to the collapse of the union.

The merger will see President Kibaki become chairman of the Council and Kalonzo Musyoka of ODM-Kenya his deputy. Wildlife Minister Noah Wekesa said the merger issue should not be the prerogative of MPs, but party members.

Dr Wekesa, who is also the PNU vice-chairman, said hurried coalitions would not hold.

Kanu Secretary-General Nick Salat said the party would go it alone in 2012. He said he read mischief in the way the crafters of the merger were behaving, saying the aim should be to strengthen the coalition not to merge affiliate parties.

Kibaki succession

Other partners interpreted Kalonzo’s position of vice-chairman as a gimmick to give him a head start in the Kibaki succession.

DP Organising-Secretary Jacob Hajj said their party had organised a retreat to launch their bid to recruit members.

New-Ford Kenya said plans for a merger will hit the dead end.

"New Ford-Kenya will remain its own party," they said.

Meanwhile, Assistant Minister William Cheptumo has asked political parties to seek consensus on the constitutional review instead of proposing piecemeal legislation.

Referring to proposals made by PNU, he said some should await a comprehensive constitutional review.

Mr Cheptumo said the creation of new provinces require consultations.

"When such a proposal comes from a political party, it is bound to generate suspicion," he said.

Cheptumo was speaking at Kabartonjo during the opening of a youth polytechnic at the weekend.

Cracks emerged in PNU over creation of additional provinces with Agriculture Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki saying Kanu did not support the proposals. Talking to The Standard yesterday, the Nithi MP, said the creation of more provinces called for wider consultations.

ODM nominated MP Sofia Abdi Nur differed, saying North Eastern Province deserves more administrative units, but priority should go to constituencies.

At the same time, PNU’s proposal to have Western Province divided into two has drawn criticism from some MPs. MPs Bonny Khalwale, Ben Washiali and Yusuf Chanzu said PNU should not purport to speak on behalf of residents of the province.

—Stories by Maseme Machuka, Karanja Njoroge, Beauttah Omanga and Allan Kisia