Biwott Now Replaces Uhuru as Opposition Chief

KENYA’S former ruling party and official opposition Kenya African National union (Kanu) could be headed for the crisis of a lifetime after a faction allied to one-time powerful Cabinet minister Nicholas Kipiyator arap Biwott was registered.

The registration of Biwott-led team was a culmination of a fierce tug between the diminutive Keiyo North Mp and his Gatundu South Counterpart Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta who has been the party’s leader in parliament.

Technically, the chairman of Kanu (read Biwott) becomes the Leader of Official Opposition in Parliament.

It was a day of dance and jubilation as the team emerged from Sheria House victoriously brandishing a certificate with a list of newly-registered officials at mid-day though many political observers were quick to blame the government for the continued crisis.

According to a letter dated November 28 bearing the new list of officials. The letter with reference number SOC/2368 states: "I refer to your letter dated November 27, 2006 and append below the names of your Society’s officials."

In the list Mr Katana Ngala, Prof Sam Ongeri and Mr Joash Wamang’oli replace Mr Henry Kosgey, Mr Chris Okemo and Mr Dalmas Otieno as vice-chairmen.

Former Kilgoris MP Mr Julius Sunkuli, who was Executive Director in Uhuru’s team, retains the same position in the new line-up.

The new officials led by Ojiambo, Mr Nick Salat (Bomet MP) and Mr Paul Sang (Buret MP) praised the registration of the new line-up.

"This registration is in accordance with the laws of Kenya, Kanu constitution and over 3,500 genuine Kanu delegates, who convened in Mombasa on November 24," stated Ojiambo who was flanked by close to 100 party supporters.

Kanu is a major partner an Orange Democratic Movement-Kenya (ODM-Kenya), a loose alliance of opposition parties that want to topple President Mwai Kibaki’s government from power come the 2007 general election.

The local newspapers were awash with pictures and sensational stories of the “coup” and most interesting how the self-proclaimed “Total Man” strode into Parliament and swiftly occupied the seat reserved for the Uhuru, the Leader of the Official Opposition and who has vowed to move to court in what promises to be a bruising political battle.

Beaming with confidence, Biwott, a former trade Minister made his entry into the chamber at 5.15pm, waving the one-finger Kanu salute amid loud foot thumping from the Government front bench as members of the Opposition watched in despair.

A physically worried Uhuru and immediate former Kanu Secretary General William Samoei Ruto quickly left the Chambers and converged at Parliament Buildings with fellow Mps and issued an angry statement accusing the President Mwai Kibaki, retired President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi and Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Ms Martha Karua of hutching a plot to kick them out of the party.

Moi, a Kanu life-member who led the party for 24 years has publicly expressed his opposition to Kanu’s alliance with ODM-Kenya and was on Monday quoted as having supported the election of Biwott and company as the Bonafide officials of the party.

The Leader of Official Opposition enjoys lucrative allowances similar to a sitting Cabinet minister that include an executive office at Parliament Buildings and an official Mercedes Benz car with Government registration and official security detail.

Ruto accused the Government of using its machinery to undermine the leadership of Kanu. "This country has turned into a theatre of the absurd," said Ruto adding, "The Government is now attempting to appoint the Leader of Official Opposition.

Lawyers representing the Uhuru team led by nominated Mp Mutula Kilonzo said they would be going to court to challenge the decision by the Registrar General.

Ends…