Kanu to share posts amicably – Biwott’s men rewarded

Story by PATRICK NZIOKA
Publication Date: 9/28/2007 

Keiyo South MP Nicholas Biwott is expected to get a bigger position in Kanu when the more than 3,000 members converge in Nairobi at the weekend for the national delegates conference.

Keiyo South MP Nicholas Biwott.

The move is the outcome of the harmonisation process that was agreed upon between Mr Biwott’s faction and another led by Uhuru Kenyatta following talks to unify the party.

One of the issues agreed upon during the talks was to share party positions equally between Mr Biwott and Mr Kenyatta. The latter will retain the chairmanship.

Another key issue is to appease the Kalenjin community who feel pushed out of the party they have supported for a long time. They also agreed that Mr Kenyatta and Mr Biwott be joint signatories recognised by the Electoral Commission of Kenya for the party’s nomination.

Prof Sam Ongeri and Mr Noah Katana Ngala, who belonged to the Biwott faction, will get positions of vice- chairmen, left behind by Mr Dalmas Otieno and Mr Chris Okemo who have joined the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

From Mr Kenyatta’s side, Mr Justin Muturi and Mr Marsden Madoka will assume the two remaining positions of vice-chairmen. 

Bomet MP Nick Salat assumes the post of secretary general, replacing Eldoret North MP William Ruto, a member of ODM’s pentagon.

Former minister Julius Sunkuli and Buret MP Paul Sang will also be beneficiaries in the new arrangement.

Arrangements for the meeting that will also endorse the party’s position not to field a presidential candidate in favour of President Kibaki are at an advanced stage.

Notice sent out

The venue has already been secured while the notice was sent out a fortnight ago, party executive officer Njee Muturi said yesterday.

“I have information that delegates from the far-flung areas have already started their journey to Nairobi in readiness for the meeting,” Mr Muturi said by telephone.

The mode of nominating parliamentary and civic candidates within the Party of National Unity (PNU) will also be discussed and endorsed.

Lifted and published by Korir, API*APN source.nation.ke

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Parties to get cash – This will minimise involvement by corrupt westerners from influencing parties

Story by OWINO OPONDO
Publication Date: 9/28/2007 

Political parties could soon be funded from the Treasury if President Kibaki approves a new Bill passed in Parliament yesterday.

Party supporters at a past political rally. Should the new Bill become law, MPs will have to give a two-week notice before defecting. Photo/STEPHEN MUDIARI

However, for them to qualify, they must meet tough conditions. One states that for a party to qualify, at least a third of its national officials must be from either gender.

The Bill also provides tough rules to tame the culture of defections. It demands, among other requirements, that an MP intending to ditch a party shall give his party 14 days notice.

And if it becomes law, politicians who have been hiring gangs to disrupt rallies organised by their competitors will also pay a fine not exceeding Sh15,000, or face a jail term of not more than two years, or both.

Settle disputes

The Political Parties Bill, 2007, also seeks to establish a powerful Political Parties Disputes Registrar to settle disputes involving members of political parties and to resolve wrangles among coalition partners. 

There will be a powerful office of the Registrar of Political Parties under the Electoral Commission of Kenya. Among other things, the registrar will ensure parties applying for registration reflect national membership and the diversity of Kenyan communities, do not have a religious slant, and also avoid using repugnant symbols or those of existing entities.

The Political Parties Bill has been on the agenda of Parliament for 16 years, but lapsed with every end of the life of the august House — until yesterday.

Currently, Kenya has more than 300 registered political parties.

The ruling National Rainbow Coalition (Narc) rode to power in 2002 following what some leaders of affiliate parties claimed was a memorandum of understanding between President Kibaki and other key leaders in the coalition on how ministerial posts and other top positions in government were to be shared out. But a year later, the Liberal Democratic Party of Lang’ata MP Raila Odinga walked out of the Government, saying it had been duped.

Such scenarios will be a thing of the past if the Bill becomes law. Parliament’s departmental Committee on the Administration of Justice and Legal affairs introduced an amendment requiring parties to file any pre-election agreements with the registrar of political parties to ensure that the covenants are respected after the elections.

The clause says: “Where two or more political parties resolve to form a coalition before or after an election, the instruments of the coalition agreement shall be deposited with the Registrar for the purposes of arbitration between the coalition parties”.

Once the Bill becomes law, the minister for Finance will prepare annual allocations to the Political Parties Fund to be administered by the registrar. Fifteen per cent of the money in the fund will be distributed to all political parties that qualify, while 80 per cent will be disbursed proportionately “by reference to the number of votes secured by each of the political parties at the previous parliamentary election”. Five per cent of the money will be used to meet the administrative costs of the Fund.

And where a presidential candidate is supported by more than one political party, the Bill provides that only votes cast for parliamentary and civic candidates of the respective parties will be taken into account to determine the amount payable to the parties.

More than 30 MPs yesterday went into the committee of the whole House where they scrutinised the Bill. And in a rare show of unity, the members lamented about the confusion and personality cults that have in the past plagued political parties.

The MPs agreed that an individual should be allowed to contribute a maximum of Sh5 million to a political party in a year. However, foreigners are barred from funding political parties.

Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Martha Karua and Gwassi MP Zaddock Syong’o (Narc) moved amendments on behalf of the Government and the justice committee respectively.

Those present agreed on a number of amendments, save for the one seeking to compel the President to give his assent to the Bill within 90 days. Members were united in saying the Head of State should be allowed to exercise his executive powers of transforming Bills passed by Parliament into law. To ensure funds are not misused by political parties, the proposed law empowers the registrar to request the Director of Internal Audit to carry out an audit of the accounts of a political party at any time.

Parties already in existence must comply with the new law within six months once its date of effect is published.

System was abused

The Bill provides timelines for application for registration of political parties, effectively doing away with the current system where this is left to the discretion of the Registrar of Societies. Opposition leaders have in the past said that the system was abused by the Government to delay registration of parties deemed to be unfriendly to the Government.

The new Bill allows the registrar to issue provisional certificates of registration after receiving an application. A political party shall take not more than 180 days to apply for full registration.

However, a party that has been provisionally registered shall be entitled to address public meetings in any part of the country with assistance of State security. They shall also have equitable access to the State-owned Kenya Broadcasting Corporation television and radio stations.

There are also provisions to ensure probity in the way registered parties keep their financial records.

For example, once a party is registered, it shall submit a record on its assets and liabilities to the registrar within 90 days. And they shall, within 90 days after participating in a General Election, submit a detailed statement of all expenditure on each candidate it sponsored.

Lifted and published by Korir, API*APN source.nation.ke

Kibaki rejects changes to law – a step he has taken is good for the country

Story by JONATHAN KONUCHE and PPS
Publication Date: 9/28/2007 

President Mwai Kibaki has declined to assent to some of the amendments contained in the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill 2007. 

The specific amendments to the Bill that the President turned down include changes to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003, and amendments to the Public Officer Ethics Act 2003.

Attorney-General Amos Wako forwarded the amendments to the President Kibaki on Thursday evening. 

Consequently, President Kibaki has written to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Francis ole Kaparo, giving his reasons for the rejection and recommending his views on the amendments.

Mid this month, opposition MPs and some back-benchers united in pushing through a proviso to the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act that would have barred the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission from investigating crimes committed before the law came into effect.

Had it sailed through, it would have meant that the commission could not use the provisions in its Act to investigate the Goldenberg scandal, which is estimated to have cost the taxpayer Sh58 billion, and some Anglo Leasing type contracts signed before May 2, 2003.

The commission, headed by Mr Justice (rtd) Aaron Ringera, would have relied on the provisions of fighting economic crimes in the Penal Code to tackle corruption

The MPs had also rejected a raft of amendments that the commission had wanted passed by Parliament to give it more power to expedite the cases it was working on and widen its net in catching the corrupt.

Different reactions

Parliament’s passing of the amendment had elicited different reactions, with members of the civil society, the public and some embassies condemning the move, saying it would give amnesty to looters. 

Meanwhile, President Kibaki has assented into law the Media Bill 2007 and the Tobacco Control Bill 2007. 

The Media Bill had been returned to Parliament when the President declined to approve it, saying it be amended to respect freedom of the media. The clause, which could have been used to compel journalists to disclose confidential sources of stories, was deleted from the Bill.

Lifted and published by Korir, API*APN source.nation.ke

Washington DC- (USA) The Zimbabwean leader, Robert Mugabe on Wednesday criticized the human rights record of United States president George Bush and his policies on Iraq, and likening the U.S. Guantanamo Bay prison to a concentration camp. Speaking on Wednesday at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, in a typically fiery fashion, Mr. Mugabe said Bush’s “hands drip with innocent blood of many nationalities, and this is supposed to be our master on human rights?” Mr. Mugabe described the conflict in Iraq as the “misadventures” of President Bush and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. He said Mr. Bush had no right to lecture the world on human rights. “His hands drip with the blood of many nationalities and today with the blood of Iraqis. The almighty Bush is now coming back to the U.N. for a rescue package because his nose is bloodied. Yet he dares to lecture us on tyranny,” Mr. Mugabe said. “America is primarily responsible for rewriting core tenets of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” he added. “We seem all guilty for 9/11,” he added. He also accused Britain and the United States of a campaign to destabilize and vilify Zimbabwe. “Mr. Bush and Mr. Brown have no role to play in our national affairs,” Mugabe told the General Assembly. “They are outsiders and should therefore keep out.” He called for sanctions against Zimbabwe to be lifted. Earlier President Bush told the General Assembly that Zimbabwe was suffering under a “tyrannical regime” and the UN should exert pressure on Mr. Mugabe to allow greater freedoms. President Mugabe reiterated that regime change in Zimbabwe would not be brought about by outside influence. He was also critical of the United Nations Security Council, complaining that Africa did not hold a permanent seat or have the power of veto. Meanwhile, back home in Zimbabwean, Members of Parliament approved a bill which would end foreign ownership of companies operating in the country Published by Korir, API*APN source.apa

Rich states should transfer resources to poor countries for development, says Mbeki

Pretoria (South Africa) Massive resource transfers to poor countries from the rich states were needed if the world wants to attain its Millennium Developmental Goals (MDGs), South African President Thabo Mbeki, who is in New York City attending the UN General Assembly, has said. Addressing the 62nd session of the UN General Assembly this week, Mbeki said that there was an urgent need for massive resource transfers from the rich states to poor countries – through development assistance, investment, trade, technology and human resources. \”As we all accept, central to the attainment of MDGs (Millennium Developmental Goals) globally, is the critical matter of resource transfers from the rich countries of the North to poor countries of the South,\” Mbeki said. He added, \”Many developing countries, especially those from my own continent, Africa, do not have the material base from which to address and attain the MDGs on their own.\” Mbeki, who said he believed South Africa would attain its MDGs, urged the richer countries to enter into partnerships with African countries using the African Union\’s programme of NEPAD (New Partnerships for Africa’s Development). Working together through NEPAD would strengthen the measures the continent already took with limited resources, through international community-guided programmes of the UN which has adopted NEPAD, he said. Referring to the resource transfers in the aftermath of the World War II which helped Western Europe recover from the destruction, Mbeki asked the question why there was an absence of the same resolve to assist poor nations today. He said a similar intervention helped a number of Asian countries onto their own development trajectory. Turning to the world body, the president also said the UN had not yet transformed itself or \”designed the necessary institutions of governance consistent with the noble ideals that drive modern democratic societies.\” The reason for this was that the world was defined by the dominant and the dominated, said Mbeki. \”The dominant have also become the decision makers in the important global forums, including at this seat of global governance,” he said. \”Accordingly, the skewed distribution of power in the world – political, economic, military, technological and social – replicates itself in multilateral institutions, much to the disadvantage of the majority of the poor people of the world.\” Mbeki said although the UN correctly identified problems and made solutions that would make the world a better place for all, it was guided by the interests of the rich. Until ideals of freedom, justice and equality characterised by the UN are adhered to, rich nations would forever dictate to the \”dominated and the interests of the dominated, which are those of the majority of humanity, would be deferred in perpetuity,\” he said. Mbeki urged the world\’s nations to let actions speak louder than words and to stop making \”declaration after declaration against poverty and underdevelopment\” without meaning it. Published by Korir, API*APN source.apa

Raila Odinga confirms that a talk with Joseph Obiero took place, but denies it was in a form of interview.

Raila confirms that there was a talk with Joseph Obiero and six others while on his US tour, and regrets that he made such comments. The presidential aspirant says that he was tired and that the comments were made under duress, adding he did not mean to hurt anybody. 

According to Raila, Obiero and the six others asking questions did not disclose to him that whatever came out at the time was meant for publication. He terms it as a friendly chat along the corridor.

Raila accuses Obiero for causing unnecessary chaos during this time of need for political unity in the country. He castigates Obiero, saying Obiero is lucky to be in the US enjoying all the freedom that country provides. Raila, however, says he is not bitter and is not considering to sue Obiero, but warns the media that they will be sued if they continue to try and dismantle what he is trying to build.

Getting the confirmation has been necessitated by the many comments sent in by those who have doubted the authenticity of the comments (interview published by Mashada.com and ourselves), an interview reportedly carried out by Joseph Obiero when he got the opportunity to speak to Raila in the US. The interview we have titled A shocking interview: Obiero interviews Raila Odinga while on his US tour recently, in API*APN has angered many Raila supporters who seem to think that a Luo man, Joseph Obiero, cannot publish anything that goes to reveal Raila’s thinking during this time when Kenya politics is hotting up. This should teach us a lesson that not all the Luo people are Raila followers, nor can they be forced to follow Raila’s footsteps. Their choice(s) should be respected if they have a different opinion or if they express their support for President Kibaki’s second term or ODM-K’s Kalonzo Musyoka.

We now hope that the matter has got the clarity it deserves.

Published by Korir, African Press International – API/ African Press in Norway – APN. africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

UN: Ivorian President wants sanctions lifted against compatriots

Abidjan(Cote d’Ivoire) Speaking from New York where he is participating in the UN General Assembly that opened Tuesday, Ivorian head of State, Laurent Gbagbo, Wednesday afternoon pleaded for the lifting of the sanctions against some of his compatriots. The Ivorian president, who was speaking for the first time at the UN headquarters since he came to power in 2002, said the country was getting out of the crisis since the signing of the Ouagadougou Agreement on 4 March 2007 under the supervision of President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso. Laurent Gbagbo also pleaded for the UN to reduce its security troops in the country as peace was prevailing in the country since the signature of the Ouagadougou peace agreement, adding that the “phase 3 no longer corresponds to the reality on the ground”. Due to the relative calm in the country, the Ivorian Head of State also requested the lift of the embargo on weapons imposed on Cote-d’Ivoire since the beginning of the war “in order to allow the country to ensure the security of the people and properties”. Besides, as part of the post-war reconstruction, Cote-d’Ivoire needs the support of the international community for which President Gbagbo requested support particularly to rehabilitate the country’s economic infrastructure. Furthermore, he reiterated the desire of his country to “rapidly” hold free, fair and transparent elections, which, according to him, are a prerequisite for the national economic revival. Hence, he urged all stakeholders in the conflict to step up their committed to sustain the peace process. Published by API*APN source.apa

Liberian Journalists Returned From South Africa For Int’l Media Confab

Liberian journalists who attended a weeklong Highway Africa Media Conference at the South African Grahmstown University retuned yesterday.

The Liberian journalists were among over 500 of their colleagues during the conference deliberated on media issues of concern to the African Continent.

Those Liberians journalists  attended the conference were J. Cholo Brooks Brooks of the Global News Network, Robert Kpardeh of the Parrot Newspaper, Prince Parker of the News Newspaper and Augustine Choloply of the Inquirer.

By our correspondent J. Cholo Brooks

Published by API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

Security Council extends mandate of UN Mission in Liberia for one year

Commending the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) for its continuing and significant contribution to maintaining peace and stability in Liberia, the Security Council in its resolution 1777 (2007) has extended the Mission’s mandate for one year, until 30 September 2008.

The resolution welcomes the Liberian Government’s continued efforts to improve governance and combat corruption, and the important steps taken to regain and consolidate Government control over the country’s natural resources.

However, the resolution notes that Liberia faces significant challenges in its post-conflict transition, including in the consolidation of State authority, massive development and reconstruction needs, the reform of the judiciary, extension of the rule of law throughout the country, as well as in the further development of the security sector.

Noting that progress has been made in rebuilding, equipping and deploying the Liberian National Police (LNP), and starting the restructuring of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), the Security Council encourages the Government of Liberia, in cooperation with the international community, to expedite its efforts in those areas.

The Council also noted that substantial progress has been made in reintegrating ex-combatants, but formal sector employment remains a serious need.

The Council welcomes UNMIL’s continuing efforts to promote and protect the rights of women and calls on Liberian authorities to cooperate with the United Nations and civil society to achieve further progress in combating gender-based violence and sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Council endorsed the Secretary-General’s proposal to reduce military forces by just over 2,400 by September 2008 and its police component by about 500 between April 2008 and December 2010. The Council will further review the drawdown planning in August 2008.

Presenting Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s progress report to the Security Council earlier this month, his Special Representative for Liberia, Alan Doss, said, because the security and stability of Liberia remained matters of paramount importance, the Secretary-General was recommending that the drawdown of the Mission’s military component be undertaken in “a gradual manner to avoid creating instability”.

The Council requested the Secretary-General to monitor progress on the achievement of a number of core benchmarks, which include the stand-up of the new AFL, the nationwide deployment of the LNP and the establishment a 500-strong police quick reaction force, which should be in place by July 2009.

UNMIL was established in 2003 to support the ceasefire and peace process in Liberia following a fourteen-year civil war. Currently, the Mission has a total strength of over 14,000 military troops and 1,000 police personnel

By our correspondent J. Cholo Brooks

Published by API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

Canadian Company to Provie 450 jobs to jobless Liberians

Approximately 450 to 500 jobless Liberians are to shortly be haired by a Canadian Investment group which has been given the “green light” by the Liberian government to help boost the country post-war reconstruction.

The company Buchanan Renewable Energies today displayed 90-pieces of heavy duty and other earth moving equipment worth more than 10-million U.S. dollars. The pieces of equipment were brought into the country by a Canadian-based company known as Buchanan Renewable Energies, Incorporated.

With an initial capital investment of 15-million United States dollars, the new company says was investing in Liberia based on the potential the country offers for the production of biomass fuel, a production central to Buchanan’s investment.

According to the Buchanan Renewable Energies President, Joel Strickland, his company intends to rejuvenate Liberian rubber plantations through the removal of non-productive rubber trees for cultivation of land in preparation for planting. He said his Buchanan Renewable Energies will work with local farmers in assisting to replant rubber trees if required by plantation owners.

Outlining the benefits of investing in Liberia, Mr. Strickland said Liberia has the potential to become the world’s leading first biomass driven sustainable economy in addition to becoming a major exporter of biomass.

The company said it will initially provide employment opportunities for more than 4-hundred Liberian employees by the end of the year.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf welcomed the investment, which she said represents a true partnership that government will continue to support. The Liberian leader lauded Buchanan Renewable Energies for the investment which was brought into the country without any request for special favors from government. The President also lauded Liberian business partners who have teamed up with Buchanan Renewable to invest in the country.

The President urged citizens to cooperate with the new company and help protect its investment, which she emphasized will provide more employment opportunities for the country.

National Investment Commissioner Chairman, Richard Tolbert, described the investment as a direct result of the positive image the President has created for Liberia. The NIC boss said the investment represents the first phase of what is expected to be a massive investment in Liberia.

By Our correspondent, J.Cholo Brooks

Published by API*APN africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525

Kibaki’s PNU leaves out key ministers – not to lead the campaign

 By Joseph Murimi and Abiya Ochola

President Kibaki’s core national campaign team was unveiled on Wednesday, but with powerful Cabinet ministers left out.

Among those edged out of the list of 28 ahead of the Head of State’s official campaign launch on Sunday were Internal Security minister Mr John Michuki and his Justice and Constitutional Affairs counterpart, Ms Martha Karua. Also axed were Finance minister Mr Amos Kimunya, Information minister Mutahi Kagwe and his Energy counterpart, Mr Kiraitu Murungi, who only recently got back his job after many months in the cold over corruption allegations.

The team was announced by the Kibaki Tena lobby, the outfit spearheading the President’s re-election bid.

Trade minister Dr Mukhisa Kituyi, who is said to be flirting with New Ford-Kenya, was also excluded from the list.

Kanu chairman, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta responds to journalist’s question at the PNU headquarters near Department of Defense in Nairobi on Wednesday. Looking on are Narc-Kenya chairman, Mr Raphael Tuju (centre), and Democratic Party vice-chairman, Mr Joseph Munyao.

The only Cabinet minister from Central Province in the presidential team is Defence minister, Mr Njenga Karume, who was said to have been building bridges for President Kibaki, including seeking to woo some Opposition politicians to the Government side.Re-appointed Cabinet minister Mr David Mwiraria is in the team, with Cabinet colleague Mr Njeru Ndwiga, representing Meru and Embu districts.

Also in the team — that has been crafted to represent regional and party interests and has representatives from all the PNU members —is Vice-President Mr Moody Awori. The President launches his re-election campaign on Sunday at the Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi.

Traditionally, members of the presidential campaign team get plum jobs if their party wins the General Election.

The future of Kenya is safe with KibakiThe team is headed by President Kibaki, with Awori as his deputy.Other members of the team are Ford-People leader Mr Simeon Nyachae, Narc- Kenya chairman Mr Raphael Tuju, Ford-Kenya chairman Mr Musikari Kombo and Kanu chairman, Mr Uhuru Kenyatta.

Others are DP chairman Mr Joseph Munyao, Shirikisho party leader Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere and Cabinet colleagues Mr Kipruto Kirwa, Prof George Saitoti, Mr John Munyes, Mr Mohamed Abdi, Mr Suleiman Shakombo, Mr Henry Obwocha and Mr Mohamed Kuti.

Also in the list are MPs Mr Stephen Tarus, Mr Mohamed Abdi, Dr Wilfred Machage, Mr Marsden Madoka, Mrs Linah Kilimo, Mr Raphael Wanjala, Mr Yusuf Haji and Ms Naomi Shabaan.

DP Secretary-General Mr George Nyamweya and his organising secretary, Mr Jacob Haji, are also in the team.

Kirwa read the list at the ‘Kibaki Tena’ Secretariat.

Present at the briefing were Uhuru, Tuju, Kirwa, Mwakwere, Obwocha, Karume, Kombo, Shabaan, Munyao, Kilimo, Nyamweya and Haji.

PNU also unveiled its colours, which are predominantly blue, red and white.

Kirwa said the team, which believes in unity, was created to run the national campaign after consultation between the President and leaders of allied parties.

He said the Party of National Unity’s abbreviated name is PNU and not Panu.

“Our support for the President is based on the desire to consolidate achievements of the Kibaki Government,’’ Kirwa said.

He said parties in PNU desired joint primaries but each party would recommend the best way forward.

The Agriculture minister said this would enable the parties spare their energies for the General Election.

The party symbol would be unveiled during President Kibaki’s campaign launch this Sunday.

“The future of Kenya is safe with Kibaki. It means consolidating the gains of this administration,’’ Kirwa said.

The minister said consultations were under way to allow each party to undertake and handle campaigns in their strongholds.

“Each party and regional leaders would handle their regions,” he said.

The issue of who controls campaigns in the different regions for PNU has been thorny, with constituent parties seeking sole rights in their areas.

Kirwa dismissed fears that the Kibaki team had delayed hitting the campaign trail.

“Kutangulia si kufika (Being first to leave does not mean completing a journey)” Kirwa said.

But disagreements over the nomination in PNU persisted.

Experts have now been called onto the negotiating table, according to major stakeholders in PNU, to save the coalition.

The negotiating table consists of the PNU council and representatives from major constituent parties.

Munyao maintained that it would not settle for anything less than individual parties fielding their own candidates.

But Narc-Kenya leaders told DP and other constituent parties to negotiate.

Kimunya said PNU should not be intimidated, hinting that experts had been brought on board.

“The method to be used by the parties under the coalition umbrella should be left to negotiators. Whatever the coalition will decide will be for the good of the country,” said Kimunya.

“If we do not get it right this time like was the case in 2002, then we could kill the future of coalitions. It is important that the negotiators give it the best,” said Kimunya in Nairobi.

Negotiations onKimunya reckoned that the negotiations could go on past the official launch of Kibaki’s re-election bid.His Co-operatives counterpart Mr Njeru Ndwiga, however, maintained that the nomination would depend on the reality on the ground.

Ndwiga, however, supports his Sports colleague Maina Kamanda’s view that all urban areas must field candidates under PNU if victory were to be achieved.

Ndwiga dismissed Munyao and by extension DP’s stand that they would field their parliamentary and civic candidates nationally.

“Those are individual opinions but what I can tell you is that negotiations are going on, but so far, everybody agrees that we cannot allow the coalition to be disadvantaged,” said Ndwiga.

Meanwhile, preparation for Kibaki’s big day on Sunday is on, with the ‘Kibaki Tena’ and ‘Taifa Tekelezi’ planning how to ferry delegates to the function.

Earlier, Nakuru Town MP Mr William Kariuki said political parties supporting President Kibaki’s re-election stood no chance of winning parliamentary and civic seats if they fielded candidates separately.

Kariuki said the surest way for them to win in the elections was for all the Kibaki-friendly parties to dissolve and field candidates under PNU.

Elsewhere, leaders from President Kibaki’s home turf have accused the presidential campaign team of sidelining notable leaders from Mount Kenya.

The leaders now want former powerful National Security minister, Dr Chris Murungaru to be part of President Kibaki’s re-election campaign team.

Civic leaders from Nyeri District led by Nyeri Town Mayor, Cllr Wanyagah Gathaka, have consequently called for appointment of Murungaru to the Cabinet.

Additional reporting by Caroline Mango, Steve Mkawale and Bancy Wangui

Lifted and published by Korir, API*APN source.standard.ke