KANU On Trial

FIVE CANDIDATES are vying for the top seat in the Kenya African National Union (KANU). Uhuru Kenyatta, Musalia Mudavidi, Kalonzo Musyoka, Raila Odinga and George Saitoti have declared candidacy for the KANU presidential nominations. Fair competition and sobriety are foundations of democracy. With five candidates in the race KANU is on trial. The party will have to demonstrate its democratic credentials to the Kenyans and the world. Competition within the party is healthy because it provides a rational and logical way of choosing leaders. It is democratic. Each candidate should measure his ability to steer the country when President Daniel Arap Moi retires. Becoming heir to Moi should not be inspired by mere dreams and promptings from certain constituencies. But it should be by strong leadership qualities and abilities, which blends well with democracy.Moi has done his part. His wish is to see KANU win the next election and Kenya remains stable. Similarly political prudence dictates that the five candidates should have the party and country at heart. They will do a disservice to the old party if they allow dirty tricks and strong statements fly between them. Old age is wisdom, KANU knows. It has vast experience in government that should not be wasted in the run up to party elections. The point is tribe, ethnic background and age should be peripheral in the race for the top job. It’s individual abilities that matter. KANU is still the best-organised party in Kenya with strength and opportunities to constitute the next government. But it is under threat of petty and selfish interests likely to put the five candidates at loggerheads and divide the party. KANU should purge its weakness and avert cleavages now lest it hands victory to a factious opposition.Ends