The Wiper Democratic Movement - Kenya (WDM-K) has criticised President Uhuru Kenyatta, after he mocked its party leader, Nasa presidential running mate, Kalonzo Musyoka, Sunday.
He said that through Wiper, Kalonzo had submitted his name, to be nominated as a senator, if Nasa loses, in the August 8 elections.According to the Jubilee Party leader, Kalonzo had sensed defeat, hence the decision, to shield himself from the political cold, when Jubilee wins.
The party has responded to Uhuru's claims, saying his advisers misled him.
Below is a statement from the party's Executive Director, Jared Maaka.
"Our attention has been drawn to a statement by the President in Bungoma yesterday to the effect that the name of H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka has been submitted for nomination to the Senate.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
For the avoidance of doubt, the law lists the following as the qualifications for nomination to the Senate:
1. Sixteen women members who shall be nominated by political parties according to their proportion of members of the Senate elected under clause (a) in accordance with Article 90;2. Two members, being one man and one woman, representing the youth;3. Two members, being one man and one woman, representing persons with disabilities.
From the foregoing, it is as clear as daylight that H.E. Hon. Musyoka cannot be a nominee for the Senate.Further, we find the President's statement strange because
Wiper Democratic Movement - Kenya has not yet compiled -- let alone submitted -- its list to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, whose deadline is June 24th.
The statement is unfortunate, preposterous and grossly misleading. In our view, the President must have been misled by his advisers to utter such a statement, whose import casts the Jubilee ruling class as having panicked, drowning cast grasping at straws to stay afloat.
In the meantime, the WDM-K under the leadership of H.E. Kalonzo Musyoka, as well as our sister parties under the Nasa Coalition, will stay focused on the big prize -- that is, securing victory for NASA during the August 8 General Elections.
Jared Maaka Siso, Ph.DExecutive Director, WDM-K"