By STANDARD REPORTER
Veteran politician Kenneth Matiba is seeking to play a role in the next General Election.
Despite having been missing in action in the political scene for years, the former presidential contender, who at the advent of multiparty politics in the early 1990s enjoyed fanatical following among voters, has been pulling the strings behind the scenes.
A party that has Matiba, a former Kiharu MP, as its party leader is one of the parties that, a few days ago, received full registration under the Political Parties Act, 2011.
Mzalendo Saba Saba party, can now prepare to field candidates in the general election for the presidency, senate, governship, national assembly and women representative seats.
“Though the party leader may not be out there campaigning and holding party meetings, he gives us guidance behind the scenes on how to deal with unfolding political scenarios,” said Mr Kimani Ngunjiri, the party national chairman.
Speaking after receiving the compliance certificate from the Registrar of Political Parties Lucy Ndung’u, Ngunjiri said Matiba remained focused on the liberation struggle for this nation.
“Full implementation of the Constitution and unity of all Kenyans, especially the poor and disadvantaged masses are some of the issues Matiba is passionate about,” Ngunjiri said.
Leadership wrangles
Matiba was a key player in the push for repeal of Section 2(A) of the former Constitution that paved the way for multiparty politics in 1990s, ending a years of one-party rule.
Ngunjiri, a former powerful Nakuru Kanu branch chairman, said the new party was registered after Matiba and the party officials were kicked out of Saba Saba Asili political party following persistent leadership wrangles.
“We have a party membership base of 44,600. We have opened offices in 34 counties so far. That is what enabled us to attain late registration in line with the Political Parties Act,” Ngunjiri said.
Ngunjiri was flanked by among others vice-chair George Mwitha, national organizing secretary Noor Ali Aden, Secretary General Jimmy Kuria, women leader Fatuma Abdulrahaman and youth leader Abdi Majid.
The party is considering forming alliance with parties with similar ideals ahead of elections and may not be keen on fielding a presidential candidate.
“The National Executive Council will decide whether or not as a party we need to field a presidential candidate. Our focus right now is on parliamentary and county positions,” Aden said.
Special seats
Aden said the party will field a candidate in the Kangema by-election scheduled for September 17.
“As a party, we will facilitate internally displaced persons to field candidates at the county level so that they are represented in decision making process,” an official John Gakuo said.
The party officials said they will also give special considerations to the disabled and the marginalised during nominations for the senate and national assembly seats after elections.
Matiba was kicked of the Saba Saba Asili party following leadership wrangles following his ill health that could not allow him to preside over day-to-day activities of the party.
