By Felix Olick
The United Democratic Movement (UDM) and National Vision Party (NVP) are working on a pre-election deal that will be formalised in the next few weeks.
Officials of the two political parties said they have had thorough and intensive consultation before finally agreeing to the political pact ahead of next year’s elections.
“After a series of thorough and intensive consultations and discussions, UDM and NVP have resolved to work together with a view of forming a pre-election coalition to be signed in the next few weeks,” announced UDM Secretary General Martin ole Kamwaro.
Political tolerance
Mr Kamwaro who read the statement on behalf of the two parties said the formation of coalitions is desirable for advocating political tolerance, coexistence and cohesion among different communities.
Former Cabinet minister Nicholas Biwott heads NVP while Retired General John Koech who wrestled it away from Eldoret North MP William Ruto after a protracted court battle heads UDM.
Speaking to the press at The Norfolk Hotel in Nairobi on Friday, the leaders maintained that party delegates will decide whether their coalition will field a presidential candidate.
However, they noted that they are in talks with Kanu with the aim of facing the elections as a united team.
Dawn of new dispensation
“These developments have been dictated by recent unfolding political realities in our country. Kenya is at the dawn of a new Constitutional dispensation that provides for constitutional and legal framework for political parties to coalesce and work together,” they argued.
The leaders said they are alive to the realities in Kenya’s political landscape polarised along party and ethnic lines.
They urged other political parties to promote a culture of political tolerance, adding that lessons of the 2007 bungled presidential polls are a sufficient lesson to all players.
