By Francis Ngige
Central Kenya Parliamentary Group wants all parties supporting Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidential bid to enter into a pre-election pact.
The group says it is through unity that the Deputy Prime Minister will have a head start in polls.
Group chairman Ephraim Maina said all the parties supporting Uhuru should make agreements and deposit them with Registrar of Political Parties. “Unity of the region is very paramount. We do not want a scenario where our numerous parties will work against Uhuru’s candidature,” said Maina.
Maina added Uhuru’s decision to join The National Alliance (TNA) party should be respected.
“Even if we are in different political parties, we should remain united and rally behind Uhuru. He is the leader of the region,” said the MP.
Uhuru is set to unveil TNA as his political vehicle on Sunday at a ceremony in Nairobi. G7 leaders who have been putting pressure on Uhuru to name a party are expected to attend the launch, according to party officials.
Apart from TNA, other parties rooting for Uhuru include Kiraitu Murungi’s Alliance Party of Kenya and Grand National Union associated with Mwangi Kiunjuri.
Yesterday, Maina said for Uhuru to succeed in convincing other regions to vote for him, his backyard must be united behind him.
Disqualify politicians
At the same time, Maina called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to enforce code of conduct to ensure elections are held in a peaceful atmosphere.
He said the commission should not allow politicians to get away with inflammatory statements or incitement. “We do not want a situation where the country will degenerate into chaos as a result of careless talk from politicians. The commission should put its feet down and disqualify such politicians,” said the MP. Assistant Minister Mwangi Kiunjuri said politicians should not be allowed to preach hatred.
Kiunjuri called on Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere, National Cohesion and Integration Commission Chairman Mzalendo Kibunjia and Chief Justice Willy Mutunga to take action against leaders preaching tribalism and disunity.
