2002 Elections
Nyachae Allies Defect
- Details
- Published on Sunday, 22 July 2007 23:00
Mama Pauline Nyandusi registered as party member 01120 during the opening of a Ford People office in Kisii. Also registered as new members were former MPs Hezron Manduku, Reuben Oyondi, Steven Manoti and Nyamira Ford Kenya chairman Samson Okioma Nyang'au.
Earlier in Nairobi, Ford People chairman Kimani wa Nyoike had announced the party would soon name a "formidable" politician as its presidential candidate. Mr Oyondi said he had moved from the Social Democratic Party and would now be the party's national vice chairman. It was not clear who had appointed him, but the move fuelled speculation that Mr Nyachae was already linked to the party.
Dr Manduku, who served in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for five years, said he had moved from Kanu while Mr Okioma also said he had abandoned Ford Kenya for unspecified reasons. Mama Nyandusi told the Press she was exercising her right to join any party of her wish. In Nairobi, party chairman Nyoike would not say whether or not Mr Nyachae would be the party's presidential candidate.
"We shall present a formidable candidate who will once and for all silence Kanu. We believe that all opposition parties should negotiate for one presidential candidate," he said.
Mr Oyondi, Dr Manduku and Mr Okioma said the party would recruit members in every constituency. They appealed to Kenyans to join the party and vowed to rally their followers behind Ford People. Police arrived at the function to find a big crowd outside a building on the Kisii-Nyangusu road being addressed by Mr Oyondi.
Other offices will be opened in Siaya, Suba, Kuria, Bomet, Nakuru, Nyamira, Gucha, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu. Mr Okioma appealed to the people of Nyamira District, where he was Ford Kenya branch chairman, to join Ford People. He lost to Kitutu Masaba MP George Anyona in the last General Election. Others present were officials of the Kiki Lobby Group based in Bomet, Bureti and the three Kisii districts.
Earlier, while addressing a press conference in Nairobi, Mr Nyoike described as "foolish and suicidal" the plan by the Democratic Party to declare itself the sole opposition party for Central Kenya. Mr Nyoike said it was unrealistic for DP to suggest that its chairman, Mr Mwai Kibaki, be the sole opposition presidential candidate. "All they are doing is exposing their chairman to attacks from those who expect to force alliances," he said. Mr Nyoike said all opposition parties should agree on a candidate to represent them "effectively".
"It doesn't have to be Kibaki. After all he has attempted twice. What stops us from thinking of another person?" he asked. He was reacting to yesterday's newspaper story in which DP declared that it would be the opposition flag-bearer for Central Kenya during the next General Election.
Speaking at a harambee in Thika, Mr Njeru Ndwiga (DP, Manyatta), David Murathe (SDP, Gatanga) and Maina Kamanda (DP, Starehe) claimed the decision to make DP the sole opposition party in the region arose from consultations with leaders and the people. Under the strategy, DP expects to get 60 parliamentary seats, though chairman Kibaki may not necessarily vie for the presidency.
