By Ngumbao Kithi and Patrick Beja
Hon. Mwakwere
Controversy over support for President Kibaki’s candidature is threatening to split Shirikisho Party.
Emerging cracks continue to widen after three top Shirikisho officials trashed the party’s membership to the Party of National Unity (Panu).
National chairman, Mr Mwashengu wa Mwachofi, his deputy, Mr John Safari Mumba, and organising secretary, Mr Kassim Juma, said Shirikisho had not agreed on a deal to enter into the pro-Kibaki coalition.
They said negotiations were expected to start, but the Sunday announcement that the party was in Panu was premature since the National Executive Committee had not endorsed the decision.
Emerging cracks continue to widen after three top Shirikisho officials trashed the party’s membership to the Party of National Unity (Panu).
National chairman, Mr Mwashengu wa Mwachofi, his deputy, Mr John Safari Mumba, and organising secretary, Mr Kassim Juma, said Shirikisho had not agreed on a deal to enter into the pro-Kibaki coalition.
They said negotiations were expected to start, but the Sunday announcement that the party was in Panu was premature since the National Executive Committee had not endorsed the decision.
Juma said Party Leader and Transport minister, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, and his deputy and Tourism minister, Mr Morris Dzoro were pushing Shirikisho into a coalition before a deal was cut.
He said it would be difficult to claim a stake in Panu should Kibaki win.
On Sunday, the President announced that he would be seeking re-election on Panu, whose main partners are Democratic Party, Ford-Kenya, Ford-People and Narc-Kenya.
But it now appears the move to back Kibaki could deal a deathblow to the Coast-based party. Mwakwere has told those dissatisfied with the move to quit. He insisted that Shirikisho NEC unconditionally endorsed Kibaki as its presidential candidate long before Panu was launched.
"In any decision-making, it is normal for some people to oppose. Even Mr Raila Odinga could not win all the votes during his nomination as ODM presidential candidate. In fact, he failed to win the support of 1,000 delegates," Mwakwere argued.
On Sunday, the President announced that he would be seeking re-election on Panu, whose main partners are Democratic Party, Ford-Kenya, Ford-People and Narc-Kenya.
But it now appears the move to back Kibaki could deal a deathblow to the Coast-based party. Mwakwere has told those dissatisfied with the move to quit. He insisted that Shirikisho NEC unconditionally endorsed Kibaki as its presidential candidate long before Panu was launched.
"In any decision-making, it is normal for some people to oppose. Even Mr Raila Odinga could not win all the votes during his nomination as ODM presidential candidate. In fact, he failed to win the support of 1,000 delegates," Mwakwere argued.
The Matuga MP dismissed recent defections following the decision to back the President.
"We want to remain with those who are committed to the party. Those who want to go to other parties are free to do so," he said.
But on Tuesday, the party officials said the top decision-making organ must ratify such a decision.
"I wish to inform our members that Shirikisho is not a member of Panu as that decision has to be made by the national delegates conference expected on October 6," said Mwachofi.
Sources at the party said camps allied to Mwakwere and Mwachofi were lobbying delegates ahead of the conference.
"We want to remain with those who are committed to the party. Those who want to go to other parties are free to do so," he said.
But on Tuesday, the party officials said the top decision-making organ must ratify such a decision.
"I wish to inform our members that Shirikisho is not a member of Panu as that decision has to be made by the national delegates conference expected on October 6," said Mwachofi.
Sources at the party said camps allied to Mwakwere and Mwachofi were lobbying delegates ahead of the conference.
The sources added that either of the opposing camps could face disciplinary action following the delegates’ stand.
The conference is also expected to approve the positions of Party Leader and his deputy, which were created for Mwakwere and Dzoro upon joining the party three months ago.
Others who joined Shirikisho then were Msambweni MP, Mr Abdalla Ngozi, and Assistant ministers, Mr Anania Mwaboza and Mr Joseph Kingi.
The conference is also expected to approve the positions of Party Leader and his deputy, which were created for Mwakwere and Dzoro upon joining the party three months ago.
Others who joined Shirikisho then were Msambweni MP, Mr Abdalla Ngozi, and Assistant ministers, Mr Anania Mwaboza and Mr Joseph Kingi.
Mumba confirmed that a team was appointed to lead the talks with Panu, but no meeting took place. "None of these members was consulted. As far as the party is concerned, Shirikisho has not entered into any coalition with anybody," Mumba said.
He warned that the party could not be ignored since it has united the Coast region, which has for long been a fishing ground for political parties.
He warned that the party could not be ignored since it has united the Coast region, which has for long been a fishing ground for political parties.
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