William Ruto (L) with URP Chairman Francis Ole Kaparo at a past event. Photo/ FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 22-The United Republican Party (URP) led by Eldoret North MP William Ruto will conduct its party nominations on January 7 next year.
According to party chairman Francis Ole Kaparo, aspirants have until December 10 to make applications expressing interest in the various seats that will be up for contest in the 2013 general elections.
Kaparo said: “We have had a regular ordinary party meeting to prepare for the next election. We have identified the date for party nominations. Aspirants have until on or before December 10 to make their interest known.”
Kaparo who spoke after a party meeting at the International Bible School called on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct all its processes within the statutory timelines so as to deliver the March 4 election.
“We are preparing for the election but we are very unhappy about signals we are receiving from other quarters; signals indicating that after all elections may not be held on March 4. IEBC has told us numerously that they are ready to deliver the election and so we as URP expect nothing other than a March 4 general election,” said Kaparo.
Dujis MP Aden Duale also emphasised the displeasure by the party at the failure by the IEBC to acquire Biometric Voter Registration kits in time saying: “We are very sceptical, the roadmaps they gave the country is not attainable with what is happening. As a serious political party we want IEBC to tell the country to tell us that the march 4 date is achievable.”
Kaparo and Aden Dualea and Environment Minister Chirau Mwakwere insisted that the much hyped deal of an alliance between URP and The National Alliance (TNA) was yet to be concluded although negotiations were ongoing.
Duale said: “William Ruto as our leader will always lead the pack but there is no deal that has been sealed.” While Kaparo maintained that: “Any deal will have to be made by the party, we have offers yes, but we haven’t struck a deal.”
URP leader William Ruto refused to be dragged into discussions on the deal reported at the weekend instead telling journalists: “Thank you, God bless you,” when asked about it.
Party Chairman Ole Kaparo further called on the Registrar of Political Parties act with speed to confirm the over 1 million member’s registered by URP so that they participate in the party nominations.
“We have in our various offices a million forms that have been filled by our members but the Registrar has not had those processed so that they are in the register as required by law. We cannot have members who cannot participate in nominations,” he insisted.
Other MPs present at the meting included Fred Kapondi, Isaac Ruto, Peris Simam, William Cheptumo, Ekwe Ethuro, Boaz Keino, Joyce Laboso and Ainamoi MP Benjamin Lagat.
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