By Felix Olick and Edwin Makiche

The emergence of the G47 political movement which has taken on board several fringe parties has caused ripples as General Election nears.

The group has previously been dismissed as comprising of civil society activists who do not understand the dynamics of local politics. However, the group is shaping up as a strong political force.

Bringing together 15 political parties, 30 organisations coupled with a strong financial chest from their support in the Diaspora, the political group could be a challenge to the current political front runners.

Marketing themselves as a third force, non-ethnic and ready to unite all Kenyans, the group has declared war on the existing top presidential contenders.

With the Government spy agency, the National Intelligence Service already warning of a possible recurrence of political violence, many Kenyans may opt for fresh leadership.

Packaging themselves as young, energetic and bringing new ideas to sanitise Kenyan politics, the group is claiming the most presidential front runners have been technically knocked out of the race.

Business unusual

Citing Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity, G47 leaders claim many aspirants have scandalous past and should not be allowed to run for the top seat.

Speaking during the prelaunch of the outfit last week in Nairobi, G47 leaders sent a warning salvo, it would not be business as usual.

Mr Ken Wafula, the convener of the G47 movement, who is also the NGO council chairman urged leaders who had not been involved in malpractices while in public service or serving in the private sector to join the group.

“G47 is a movement for the poor people in the slums, the women, the youth, the students, the workers who are being exploited by merciless employers including the Government, the farmers who have been crippled by the greed of political corruption. It is the people’s movement,” he said.

Wafula is also the chair of G47’s Supreme Governing Council, the highest policy-making organ.

The group appears keen on doing a different kind of politics. They have brought on board ordinary Kenyans, IDPs, youths, women and Kenyans with reform credentials.

Speaking on behalf of IDPs at the forum, National Co-ordinator Stephen Gathuo pledged their backing and co-operation with G47. Without mentioning specific names, Mr Gathuo said they would reject the current leaders since they have failed to resettle IDPs for five years.

“We shall use the National IDPs Forum to reject leaders sounding ethnic drums. Most of them ignored us in the camps for five years,” he said.

Compromise candidate

Former Mungiki Leader Maina Njenga, who has a fanatical following in Central and Nairobi regions that has defied Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta’s wave in Central Kenya have been attending the G47 meetings. Njenga is said to have vouchsafed his support for the group.

With The Hague process also hanging over the necks of Uhuru and Eldoret North MP William Ruto like the proverbial sword of Damocles, their ethnic constituencies could seek a compromise candidate.

However, political analyst and Head of Department of Political Science at the University of Nairobi Adams Oloo insist this group will have no political impact in the next elections.

“We do not have any political party called G47. They have not registered with the Registrar of Political Parties. Either they will have to sponsor independent candidates or they would merely operate as amorphous lobby group,” says the political don.

Although he admits the group has time to register the party, he insists their influence will not be felt beyond boardrooms.

His sentiments are echoed by United States International Relations professor Macharia Munene. He says some of the members of the group have credibility issues that would affect their acceptability.

“They are just trying their luck. They would not make any meaningful impact. Some of them will face acceptability and credibility challenges,” says Prof Munene.

G47 members comprises of relatively youthful leaders and technocrats.

Some of  its key members include former CEO of the Committee of Experts Ekuru Aukot. Dr Aukot also chaired the panel that selected the Isaac Hassan-led Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.

Other members include former Rangwe MP Shem Ochuodho, Gatanga MP Peter Kenneth, presidential aspirant Raphael Tuju and Labour Party of Kenya leader, Prof Julia Ojiambo. Also presidential aspirant James ole Kiyiapi, UDM chair John Koech, Gachoka MP Mutava Musyimi and former anti-graft agency director PLO Lumumba are members.

The group is also said to have won the backing of various civil society organisations, student unions and top officials of workers’ unions.

For instance, Omboko Milemba, the Kuppet national chairman is of the opinion that it is only through a neutral political outfit devoid of regional, ethnic or religious agenda that the country can move forward.

“What the country requires is leaders with a commitment to serve the nation, unite the people and roll out programmes and policies that would enable the country achieve Vision 2030,” he said.

Currently, G47 is welcoming people who are ready to compete for presidential nominations.

Its leaders claimed they have captured the coveted diaspora vote composed of pro-change Kenyans willing to take part in nation-building.

Team’s setbacks

Mr Erick Mungai, a student leader from Egerton University said the current crop of politicians had failed to solve the problems facing Kenyans and most of them would be voted out in the General Election.

However, the entry of Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi to the United Democratic Front party is likely to be a setback for the team.

Former staunch members Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohamed and Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni now appear keen on channelling their energies on building UDF.

During the prelaunch of the outfit the two who were initially steadfast were conspicuously absent.

The outfit recently suffered a major blow when Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Mr Francis Atwoli who had been named as one of the founders of the group refuted the claims.

“I find it strange that my name could be dragged into a group that is totally strange to me,” he said.

Atwoli said he had no interest in politics or alliances at the moment even though he was facing pressure from the public on some issues.

No Cotu party

“Kenyan workers are now faced with serious economic and social challenges and it would be insensitive for me to engage in non-issues such as forming political alliances with individuals I have no idea about their agenda,” he said in a recent statement.

“As an individual, I am capable of launching my own political campaigns but I want to assure Kenyans nobody will ride on the back of the labour movement for politics,” he said.