By MOSES NJAGIH
Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi has said parties supporting Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s candidature are in consultations to ensure they face the next General Election united.
Kiraitu said even as they await the Gatundu South MP to declare his political vehicle, possibly this week, talks are proceeding on how the many parties that have thrown their weight behind him can face polls under one umbrella.
But the Imenti South MP noted it was difficult to put Central Kenya votes, where Uhuru has the largest backing, under one party since many of the 27 political outfits that have base in the region have already sought registration from the Registrar of Political Parties.
Wait decision
In an interview with The Standard, Kiraitu said that even as Uhuru considers his political party, he has been advocating for close working relations of parties supporting him.
"He wants parties supporting him to find a way of working together. To that effect, consultations are going on even as we wait for his decision," said Kiraitu. Uhuru is widely expected to name the party on which to contest the presidency this week after the lapse of one-month period he had requested for during a Gema meeting last month, where he was pushed to declare his political vehicle.
The DPM has since been replaced as Kanu chairman, ending his leadership of the independence party, which he took over after former President Daniel Moi retired.
Kiraitu said Uhuru will have to make a decision on the party while considering interests of all the parties that have openly declared him as their preferred candidate.
"I expect he would like to take a position that does not antagonise his supporters in other parties," the minister said.
Meanwhile, Kiraitu admitted that his party PNU Alliance has been lobbying to have Uhuru join it since he has been an active member of its development.
Signatories of protocol
He said the DPM, who together with Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka and Internal Security Minister George Saitoti were signatories of a protocol that led to the formation of the Alliance, has been involved in the activities of PNU Alliance and should thus join it.
"PNU Alliance did not just happen, it was a product of two years’ consultations and Uhuru has been attending many of its meetings and activities.
He has been present at every stage of its construction but ultimately, it will be his decision to make," said Kiraitu.