Parties in Blame Game Over Ruling

Caroline Wafula and Peter Leftie

20 May 2011

Nairobi — PNU and ODM traded accusations on Friday after a High Court ruling that stopped the Kamukunji by-election.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta said ODM was using the High Court ruling to win the by-election.

Speaking at Charter Hall in Nairobi before heading to Kamukunji to campaign for PNU candidate Yusuf Abdi Hassan, Mr Kenyatta said they were looking for performing leaders.

At Orange House, Regional Development Minister Fred Gumo and Nairobi Metropolitan assistant minister Elizabeth Ongoro claimed PNU was behind the ruling after sensing defeat.

“This is not just an ordinary ruling, we read politics in this and we know there are some forces that are behind the ruling. After sensing defeat, they rushed to court to frustrate the process,” Mr Gumo said.

Ms Ongoro said that ODM would still clinch the Kamukunji seat.

“Let them know that however long it takes, ODM will still win so they should not be expending so much energy and resources to block it,” she said.

Mr Kenyatta, however, said self-interest was the major problem facing the party, arguing that whoever moved to court should have been part of the PNU family.

“The problem is that we don’t want to be united. We are too individualistic and it is a cycle,” he stated.

The party could only become a formidable alliance if supporters were united, he said, adding: “If we really want to form the government, we need to forgive each other, stop hating each other, love each other and stop looking at each other through tribal lenses.”

The PNU leaders urged voters to look beyond tribe and religion even as they switched to vernacular now and then.

Mr Hassan said his professional and educational background made him the best candidate for Kamukunji. He pledged to implement various projects to fight poverty. Given a chance, he would use it “as a bridge” to unite Muslims and the rest of Kenyans.

“Kamukunji’s problem is not one of tribe or religion but of lack of a visionary leader,” he said.

Nairobi Metropolitan Minister Njeru Githae said Central Province was fully behind Mr Kenyatta in his quest for the presidency.

“We shall follow the route Uhuru will take,” he said.

The minister criticised the anti-Kenyatta leaders in Central, describing them as spoilers.

Public Health and Sanitation Minister Beth Mugo said strengthening PNU would be a boost to President Kibaki.

“Currently we are still a small number so we need to add more members,” she said.

The Dagoretti MP said the party currently relies on ODM rebels — the Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s camp — to push through crucial matters in Parliament.

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