We're open for talks but... say OKA leaders

Cyrus Jirongo, Kalonzo Musyoka, Gideon Moi and Martha Karua at the SKM Command Centre in Karen, Nairobi yesterday. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua and United Democratic Party’s Cyrus Jirongo have officially joined the One Kenya Alliance (OKA).

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kanu Chairman Gideon Moi yesterday welcomed the two at the Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka (SKM) Command Centre in Karen, Nairobi, where they also signed a deed of assignment.

The deed now allows the four to own the One Kenya Alliance name. 

Gideon announced that the agreement will be deposited with the Registrar of Political Parties on February 28.

“We will officially unveil the One Kenya Alliance and demonstrate how our vision will fundamentally transform Kenya. As a build up towards the official unveiling, we have lined up a series of public engagement activities to be hosted by our constituent political parties and partners in various parts of the country,” said the Baringo Senator. He said the coalition was open to honest engagement with other political formations which share the same ideologies.

“This shall involve structured and open negotiations, which must include resolution of the country’s crippling debt folio and discussion on exploration of our natural resources to address the debt and create employment for our largely unemployed youth among other issues,” he added.

Kalonzo said several parties and formations, including the Azimio la Umoja movement, had reached out to OKA. He, however, said they were in no hurry to get into any coalition.

“We have up to April 9 to have made our decision. There have been numerous approaches from other parties but we will engage individual OKA party organs before any decision is made,” he said.

Kalonzo and Karua noted that Kanu, Wiper, Narc Kenya and UDP would soon hold National Elections Committee (NEC) meetings to decide on which side of the political divide they should align themselves with, if need be.

Asked whether the alliance would work with the Kenya Kwanza Alliance that includes Deputy President William Ruto, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi and Ford Kenya’s Moses Wetang’ula, Kalonzo dismissed the idea.

“Are they Kenya Kwanza or Kenya Kwisha? The assertion to join other parties has been there. We are open to like-minded political formations but the mode of engagement shall be open, inclusive, transparent and consultative,” he said.

Karua said the Mt Kenya Unity Forum was in conversations with OKA. The forum comprises Karua, The Service Party leader Mwangi Kiunjuri and Chama cha Kazi party leader Moses Kuria.