Presidential aspirants Peter Kenneth and Raphael Tuju have said they are on the verge of striking a pre-election coalition deal.
Mr Kenneth of the Kenya National Congress (KNC) and Mr Tuju of the Party Of Action (POA) met at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi where they said their imminent pact is issue-based.
“We are looking at issues that bring us together. Ours is about our country. The campaign teams of both sides are working on issues that need to be tackled between now and March 4 and how we can work together,” Mr Kenneth said.
Mr Kenneth, who is banking on the youth vote to clinch State House, said Kenyans need the best choice for the presidency.
“Our shared values is what brings us together,” Mr Kenneth said.
Mr Tuju said his alliance with Mr Kenneth is about Kenyans and the youth. He said Kenya is more polarised than during the 2007 elections and requires leaders who could unite all Kenyans.
He cited unemployment, insecurity, food shortage and poverty as the main problems facing the country’s youth.
Mr Tuju said tribal alliances that were being formed to capture power would not help the country.
“The tribal alliance could win tribal votes but will not solve real problems facing the country,” Mr Tuju said.
The convener of the meeting, Ronald Osumba, said Mr Kenneth and Mr Tuju have met a number of times to see how they could work together to give Kenyans proper leadership.
“The two are focusing on Kenyans and are not building alliance for individuals or tribes. Theirs is about issues. They believe unemployment facing the youth, insecurity, food insecurity and healthcare issues could be addressed through focused leadership,” Mr Osumba said.
Asked if the Mr Kenneth and Mr Tuju will sign a pre-election deal before the December 4 deadline for formation of coalitions, Mr Osumba said “the focus is not on specific dates”.
“Their conversation is about lives of Kenyans after March 4. The talks are open to people with like-minded issues,” Mr Osumba said.
Sources told the Nation if the deal is sealed, Mr Tuju will be Mr Kenneth’s running mate.
To their supporters, the Kenneth-Tuju pair bring freshness in Kenyan politics, non-tribal and issue oriented politics.
Mr Kenneth, who has won accolades good management of the Constituency Development Fund in Gatanga, has hit the ground running since officially launching his presidential bid on November 4.
He is expected to campaign in Laikipia and Samburu East Thursday. On Friday, Mr Kenneth will market himself in Isiolo before moving to Timau in Imenti North on Saturday and Dundori in Nakuru on Sunday.
Source: Daily Nation
