Row over law changes top agenda as rallies resume

By LILLIAN ALUANGA-DELVAUX
Major pronouncements are expected this weekend and in coming days as presidential hopefuls resume their pre-campaign rallies.

These include high-level defections and changes in alliances as leaders angle for a spot in an expected Cabinet reshuffle — possibly the last in the Grand Coalition.

The contenders go back on the road after a lull in activity following the death of one of their number, alongside five other people, in a helicopter crash two weeks ago.

During that time there have been several developments with a bearing plans for the trials of two hopefuls at The Hague, and the presentation of the last Budget statement of the Kibaki Administration.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is expected back in the country today from Moscow, Russia, is scheduled to address a rally at the Gusii Stadium, Kisii, tomorrow. The event will be the culmination of a four-day tour by ‘ODM Reloaded’ team led by South Mugirango MP Manson Nyamweya.

For the second day, the team has focused on Parliament’s changes to the Elections and Political Parties Act that fly in the face of the provisions of the Constitution.

Friday, ODM MPs said they have prepared a Motion of no confidence against the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee Chair Abdikadir Mohamed.

Gwasi MP John Mbadi accused Abdikadir of abdicating his responsibility to oversee implementation of the Constitution. The Mandera Central MP riled them by insisting Parliament was free to legislate on elections and parties without heeding the implementation commission.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, the Wiper Democratic Movement leader, will for the first time hold a joint rally with Mvita MP Najib Balala in the former Tourism minister’s constituency. Balala recently announced he would be seeking the Mombasa Senate seat on a Unity Party of Kenya ticket after decamping from ODM.

Kalonzo has a packed schedule with meetings lined up for the weekend in Kathiani, Mombasa, and Bura. Today, he is expected at the ongoing National Olympics trials at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi and at the annual Secondary School Heads meeting in Mombasa. Friday, Kalonzo was in his constituency to lay a foundation stone for the proposed Sh3 billion Tseikuru Technical Training Institute.

Assistant Minister Kareke Mbiuki, who was present, put Kalonzo and Party of National Unity affiliate parties on notice that they must forge a united front and present a suitable presidential candidate or forget about the presidency.

Mr Uhuru Kenyatta, heads to Tana River County before returning to Tetu constituency in Nyeri. A meeting scheduled for Meru was cancelled at the last minute with the Deputy PM’s Director of Communications Munyori Buku promising a  programme would be out later.

Major announcement
Fellow Deputy PM Musalia Mudavadi, who picks up earlier cancelled meetings in Western and the North Rift, is expected in Busia today. The United Democratic Forum hopeful will also have visited Eldoret, Iten, Kabarnet, and Kakamega by the end of the weekend. His message is aimed at the G7 strategy to rally behind one person in a run-off.

Speaking during the Kakamega North District Education Day in Malava Town, he said: “In UDF party we want to win in the first round, but there are others want extra time and that is why they want to divide us. We should not fall into their scheme. Let us vote as a block to defeat their opportunistic plans.”

Justice Minister Eugene Wamalwa is also in Busia today where is he expected to make “a major announcement”. The Saboti MP, who has kicked up a storm by trying to take the reins of New Ford-Kenya from its founders, is expected to clear the air about his political future and standing in the G7 Alliance.

Wamalwa, who is scheduled to open a new national office for the party in Nairobi tomorrow, is unhappy with the decision by New Ford-Kenya founder members Bonny Khalwale (Ikolomani MP) and Soita Shitanda (Malava) to back Musalia for president.
The two insist they are the ‘owners’ of New Ford-Kenya, prompting Wamalwa to ask them to choose between staying in the party or decamping to Mudavadi’s UDF.

Gichugu MP, Martha Karua will have a quiet weekend, but is expected at a devolution workshop at Safari Park in Nairobi. 

Earlier in the week, Karua addressed members of the Rotary Club and echoed Raila’s view that the presidential contest will feature the forces of change and anti-reformists. The MP, who is also eyeing the seat through Narc-Kenya party, said the country is experiencing a difficult path from forces of impunity and corruption.

Forces of impunity
“It is true that forces of impunity and reformers are in the race for leadership of this country in the elections,” she said.

Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP) continues its tour of Mandera, Wajir, and Garissa districts.

Kenya National Congress presidential aspirant Peter Kenneth is today expected to address a rally in Lamu before wrapping up his coast tour with a church service in Nyali, Mombasa County, on tomorrow.
Friday, Kenneth met young business people in Nairobi for a session on his campaigns. Tomorrow, he will hold a town hall-style meeting with Mombasa professionals.

Former Education Ministry PS and Restore and Build Kenya’s James Kiyiapi will be in Meru County where he is expected to meet professionals and opinion leaders in town hall meetings. His engagements include a stop at Mikinduri Girls High School, where he is expected to preside over a prize giving ceremony, and a church service in the same region tomorrow.

It is not immediately clear what other hopefuls such as Party of Action’s Raphael Tuju and Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi would be doing this weekend.