PNU MPs threaten to quit coalition government

By BEAUTTAH OMANGA

A section of President Kibaki's Party of National Unity (PNU) now want an urgent National Delegates Conference to sanction a withdrawal from the coalition government on grounds that the arrangement was not working.

Three Mps Jeremiah Kioni, Nderitu Mureithi and Jamleck Kamau told a press conference at the party’s new headquarters that things have fallen apart between President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga making it impossible for the two to continue working as co-principals.

“Nothing is working and the best option now is to bring this coalition arrangement to an end,” said Kamau, PNU vice chairman.

The leaders, who included vice chairman Jimmy Angwenyi in a letter to Chairman George Saitoti, demanded for a meeting within 21 days to deliberate on the matter.

“Time has come now for us to review whether we really need this coalition arrangement and our view as a party is that we call the delegates to sanction a pull out,” said Kioni, who is the party deputy secretary general.

In a statement, the officials quoted section 6 (c) of the National Accord and Reconciliation Act 2008, which provides that once a coalition partner withdraws from the coalition by a resolution of the highest decision-making organ of the party in writing; It is high time to review whether we want to remain in the grand coalition.

6. The coalition shall stand dissolved if:

(a) The Tenth Parliament is dissolved; or

(b) the coalition parties agree in writing; or

(c) One coalition partner withdraws from the coalition by a resolution of the highest decision-making organ of that party in writing.