PDM dilemma as it tries to forge elusive unity

By Stephen MakabilaWhether or not the new kid on the block, the Progressive Democratic Movement (PDM), can be nurtured into a formidable movement ahead of the 2012 General Election is debatable.PNU and affiliate party members show the PDM thumb sign after the retreat at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha. Photo: Boniface Okendo/StandardEven before its formation, it sparked controversy that continues to rock it although it is only one week old. Political observers feel with key parties that were part of PNU in 2007 — Kanu, Democratic Party, Ford-Kenya and Narc-Kenya — distancing themselves from PDM, it may prove a non-starter come 2012.However, there are those who feel if the rebel Rift Valley MPs who are gravitating towards President Kibaki choose to work with PDM, it may be a force to reckon with.Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka has indicated PDM will be the force to watch."The PDM presidential candidate will be chosen by all parties affiliated to PDM through a free and fair process. If, for example, Kalonzo runs for president, he will win the mantle only after an election by the parties," the VP was quoted saying earlier in the week.However, University of Nairobi political scientist Adams Oloo says PDM may face the predicament of its predecessors. "When time comes for the presidential nomination, the movement may split because each of the three key personalities is eyeing the presidency," says Dr Oloo.Kalonzo, Kanu Chairman Uhuru Kenyatta, Energy Minister Kiraitu Murungi and Internal Security Minister George Saitoti are the key faces in PDM.During the Naivasha retreat where the movement was launched last weekend, Saitoti warned: "We must learn from the 2007 experience if we have to win the 2012 elections against ODM."Agriculture Minister William Ruto, who last week stated he was willing to work with President Kibaki, is now an ally of Uhuru who happens to be one of Kibaki’s confidants in the Grand Coalition Government.Ruto, Uhuru and Kalonzo had also earlier been linked to the much publicised Kikuyu-Kalenjin-Kamba (KKK) alliance, which some view as having been re-born under a new name, PDM.Oloo, however, notes it may not be easy for Ruto to join PDM because it is already crowded."If he is to move out of ODM, chances are that Ruto will go for a party of his own, and bargain with some parliamentary seats the party may win," he argues.Former Cabinet Minister Amukowa Anangwe describes PDM as old wine packed in new wineskin."It appears they are looking at ODM as a role model and the launch did not effectively achieve the innovative re-invention," notes Anangwe.But a section of Kanu, Ford-Kenya and DP leaders have indicated they are not party to the PDM outfit.Did not consultKanu Secretary General Nick Salat, who opposed the Naivasha retreat even before it was held, maintains Uhuru did not consult party officials and members before entering into a pact with PDM."We have nothing to do with PDM as the decision was not sanctioned by the National Executive Council, which is the decision-making organ," argues Salat.The party’s Organising Secretary Justin Muturi, who has been an Uhuru ally, has also dismissed PDM.Kanu National Vice-Chairman Marsden Madoka has told off those spearheading PDM, saying they are bound to fail.Narc-Kenya Chairperson Martha Karua, DP Chairman Wilfred Machage and Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetang’ula of Ford-Kenya have taken a similar stand.In rejecting PDM, Wetang’ula says Ford-Kenya would go it alone in the 2012 General Election.The minister says PNU is an independent political party headed by Saitoti as chairman, and not the pre-election PNU that was an umbrella of parties that supported Kibaki’s re-election in 2007.Ford-People Secretary General Francis Opar says PDM was formed too early, given that the next General Election is almost three years away."Over the three year period, a lot of realignment may happen to change the fortunes of the movement either for better or worse," says Opar.The Independent Party, led by former MP Kalembe Ndile, has also distanced itself from PDM.This leaves only PNU and ODM-Kenya as the parties fully committed to the newly formed movement.

PDM dilemma as it tries to forge elusive unity

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