Shirikisho will continue to back PNU

Published on October 29, 2007, 12:00 am :The Standard;
By Patrick Beja

Shirikisho Party of Kenya (SPK) is back in the Party of National Unity (PNU) family after a week of sharp divisions.
After a meeting at a Mombasa hotel on Saturday, party officials including leader, Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere, and national chairman, Mr Mashengu wa Mwachofi, said they had ironed out their differences.
Last week, Mwachofi and party vice-chairman, Mr John Safari Mumba, announced that Shirikisho had pulled out of President Kibaki’s PNU and would join a party that backed majimbo.
But at the weekend, Mwakwere, Mwachofi, Mumba, deputy party leader and Tourism minister, Mr Morris Dzoro, Assistant ministers Mr Anania Mwaboza and Mr Joseph Kingi and former Magarini MP, Mr Harrison Kombe, said they were in PNU. But Mwachofi and Mumba rushed out of the venue, leaving the ministers to talk to the Press.
"SPK advocates for economic majimbo that ensures fair distribution of resources and not to chase people out of the region," said Mwakwere.
The party, however, insists it would field civic and parliamentary candidates.