On 8/6/07, mrbob_k <mrbob_k@...> wrote:
   [See below.]
Bob-K
Enquiring mind wants to know

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http://www.timesnews.co.ke/06aug07/nwsstory/topstry.html

Uhuru, Kalonzo to form alliance

by Kipngeno Cheruiyot, Titus Maero and Musembi Nzengu
Kenya Times

KANU chairman Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday announced he would forge an alliance with the ODM-K faction led by Dr Julia Ojiambo and Kalonzo Musyoka.

Kenyatta, the leader of official opposition party, said he was open to an alliance with the Labour Party of Kenya (LPK), which Kalonzo has joined, and approach ODM-K presidential nominations as "a team".

Uhuru made the disclosure as Kalonzo confirmed from his Mwingi North constituency that the leader of the official opposition had assured him of a strong alliance to counter the group spearheaded by his bitter rival in the race for ODM-K presidential ticket Raila Odinga.

Exuding confidence, Kalonzo declared that his group would carry the day in the ODM-K presidential nominations and proceed to form the next government.

But as Kalonzo and Uhuru confirmed alliance move, the Raila team which includes other aspirants Musalia Mudavadi, William Ruto , Najib Balala and Joe Nyaga took their campaigns to Bungoma in Western province where they vowed to ensure that their axis produces the party's torchbearer.

At a mammoth rally that saw the crowd endorse Raila as the ODM-K sole presidential candidate, Mudavadi, Ruto and Nyagah accused the Kalonzo team of being used by the government to split the movement.

Raila restated that theirs was the winning team and that "whoever is not with us would be left behind when the train leaves." (See separate story on page 4).

The Ojiambo led LPK an affiliate of ODM -K appeared to reposition itself when in a surprise move, Kalonzo decamped to it from the Raila Odinga dominated Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

Speaking in Kajiado, Uhuru said he would start talks with the Ojiambo -Kalonzo axis since Kanu had a lot in common with LPK in what was a confirmation of what Kalonzo had said earlier on Saturday.

The Mwingi North MP said that although he had ditched the LDP, he meant well for the country as he was seeking a vehicle to propel him to the presidency, adding that he was sure to crush his opponents in ODM- K before taking on, and defeating President Mwai Kibaki in the forthcoming general election.

Addressing a huge crowd at Mwingi Sports ground who urged him to go all the way, Kalonzo declared that this years presidential race would be the mother of all battles and said his quest for the presidency had reached a point of no return.

He told other presidential aspirants, who he said had panicked, to shun abusive language, explaining that he had ditched LDP because there were people in the party who were out to soil ODM-K by introducing "tongs and hummers" and later jump ship leaving the party disintegrated.

Kalonzo reiterated that ODM-K would not disintegrate, saying the party personified him and belonged to the majority of Kenyans while dismissing threats by the registrar of societies that the party would be de- registered in 30 day unless its leaders resolve their wrangles.

Two MPs Charles Kilonzo (Yatta) and Daudi Mwanzia (Machokos Town) who had accompanied Kalonzo urged Mwingi people to back his presidential candidature in totality.

The race for ODM-K ticket has increasingly been narrowed down to Kalonzo and Raila, who differ sharply over the mode of picking the party's flag-bearer. While Kalonzo favours the consensus, Raila and his allies prefer the delegate system.

Meanwhile Opposition Chief Whip Justin Muturi has said the wrangles and confusion in ODM -K was not instigated by the Government as alleged by Raila and instead blamed self interest among some of its leaders.

In Bungoma and in apparent reference to last week's 'in-house' defection from one ODM affiliate party to another by Kalonzo, the Raila led faction said they were the owners and not tenants of ODM, and would fight to have their side registered.

They declared the fight for the Orange had started even as the registered chairman Mr Daniel Maanzo hardened his position, saying the least he would do is to incorporate their side in the party leadership.

The leaders allied to Raila want him, alongside three other registered officials, to resign from the party's top slots to the elected team: Mr Henry Kosgey (chairman), Prof Nyong'o (secretary general) and Mr Omingo Magara (treasurer)--- a move that has heightened the wrangles.

Other News

http://www.timesnews.co.ke/06aug07/mainnews.html