Thursday, July 26, 2007

Shirikisho party may not back Kibaki in the coming polls





Coast-based Shirikisho party will field its presidential candidate in the forthcoming general election to advance its quest for a federal system of governance.
Speaking at the first public rally since 6 Coast MPs led by transport minister Chirau Mwakwere decamped from Narc-K, the leaders said they would field one of their own if the party fails to get a suitable party to form a coalition with.
Contrary to earlier indications that the party would rally behind president Kibaki in the December polls, the coastal leaders say they are contemplating fielding their presidential candidate in the polls.
The party advocates for a majimbo system of governance, and hence feels their needs may not be accommodated if they don't field their own in the race for the country's top job.
Indeed, the leaders argue that only Shirikisho could effectively champion the coastal people's rights but insist they would explore the possibility of forming coalitions with other like-minded political parties.
Though the party is largely seen a coast region party, the MPs said they were embarking on a countrywide campaign to popularize it.
The leaders say the move to join Shirikisho should not be misconstrued as an attempt by the leaders to alienate the region from mainstream national politics.
Transport minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere told detractors of the party to stop reading mischief in the new political alignment saying Shirikisho Party was designed to agitate for a bigger stake in national politics and resources.
Mwakwere who was leading fellow colleagues including Tourism counterpart Morris Dzoro, assistant ministers Joseph Kingi and Anania Mwaboza and a host of MPs at Tononoka grounds in Mombasa, said the party would field candidates against Mps who refused to join the coastal political bandwagon.
On his part, Dzoro said Shirikisho party was not a tribal outfit as it was claimed by those opposed to their decision to revamp it arguing that the party serves the people just like any other political parties.

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