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VP to rally support for PDM in Kisii

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Published on Monday, 15 March 2010 03:22
Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka is in Gusiiland today to popularise the newly formed Progressive Democratic Movement (PDM) in the area.

The VP will attend the burial of the mother of lawyer Ben Momanyi, the ODM Kenya parliamentary candidate for North Mugirango during the last General Election.

The VP is accompanied by MPs John Mututho, Prof Philip Kaloki, Johnstone Muthama and area MP Wilfred Ombui as he attempts to market the new outfit in a region where the majority of MPs are allied to ODM.

Mr Musyoka, one of the leading lights in the new outfit that brings together political parties previously affiliated to the PNU coalition, will also be keeping an eye on the impending South Mugirango by-election that is set to provide PDM with its first major political test as it positions itself for the 2012 General Election.

The VP has already toured Embu and Meru to market the new outfit formed three weeks ago.

The outfit has however ran into trouble with some PNU affiliate parties distancing themselves from it. Among the parties that have declared their non-affiliation to PDM include Ford Kenya, Narc Kenya and DP, with each announcing that it will go it alone during the 2012 General Election.

Ford-K national chairman Musikari Kombo, his DP counterpart Wilfred Machage and Narc-K leader Martha Karua are all on record saying their parties have nothing to do with the new outfit.

The position of Ford People ­ which has its roots in Gusiiland ­ remains unclear on the new outfit.

The VP's spokesperson Kaplich Barsito said the VP would also use today's tour to rally support for the draft constitution.
First time But even as he takes PDM to Gusiiland for the first time since its formation, Mr Musyoka will have to contend with a simmering rift among former PNU affiliates over whether to field a joint candidate in the forthcoming South Mugirango by-election.

Ford People secretary-general Henry Obwocha and director of elections James Kenani are on record as stating that the party intends to field a candidate during the byelection.

The mainstream PNU, through former Kitutu Chache MP Jimmy Angwenyi, has been lobbying to have all affiliate parties to hold joint nominations in order to field the strongest candidate to take on ODM torchbearer.

This is one of the major challenges Mr Musyoka will have to confront as he rallies the region to join PDM in readiness for 2012.