Kalonzo will engage others in unity talks

By Peter Opiyo

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has welcomed unity talks, but denied he was in talks with Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s ODM.

The VP instead urged Raila to join Wiper Democratic Movement because it is the party that has fought for a better Constitution.

The party (then ODM-K) rejected the Bomas Constitution in 2005, arguing it was mutilated.

While inaugurating the National Elections Board (NEB) and the National Appeals Board (NAP), the VP said he is, however, in talks with Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA and William Ruto’s URP.

“We will be talking to like-minded leaders and parties but not ODM. The time for proper announcement would be coming, we are in the midst of consultation,” he said at the party’s headquarters in Lavington.

The VP also received defectors from Bungoma and Tana River Counties as well as Kitui West MP Charles Nyamae (Narc).

Kalonzo, Uhuru and Ruto met on October 4 to craft a possible pact ahead of the March 4, 2013 polls.

The meeting came days after an opinion poll by Ipsos Synovate showed Raila is still the man to beat, but may lose to Uhuru in a run-off.

Kalonzo asked the Registrar of Political Parties to impose sanctions on political parties that poach members from others. “There should be sanctions including deregistration of these parties,” said the VP.

Party Chairman David Musila said the NEB would ensure free and fair nominations for the aspirants.

Level playing ground

Twelve members were sworn in by the Commissioner of Oaths, Mr John Katiku, to sit in the NEB and the NAB.

Kalonzo ruled out any possibility of direct nomination for any candidate, saying all aspirants will enjoy a level playing ground in accordance with the party principles.

The Vice-President, who was speaking at the African Inland Church, Matungulu in Machakos County on Sunday, also asked people to register early next month in readiness for the forthcoming elections.

“Acquire identification cards and renew the old generation type for those who have not,” he added.