Tension is growing in a party grouping in Gusii following a controversial State House visit last week by the Kenya National Congress Party leader Manson Nyamweya, a member of the coalition.
On Sunday, the chair Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Jeremiah Ongeri termed the visit ‘self serving and out of order’.
“As a party we wish to distance and disassociated ourselves from the visit and we want to let our members know that at no time did we sit and agree on the same,” Ongeri told journalists early Sunday at a Kisii hotel.
Oyongo was yet to respond to the access by press time.
“He (Oyongo) took himself there, he represented nobody and his move and sentiments at the moment do not reflect the standing and wishes of the Taifa Democratic Coalition in which we are partners.,” Ongeri, who is also the Tabaka Ward Rep stated.
Taifa Democratic Coalition currently draws it’s membership from the People’s Democratic Party, the Kenya Social Congress and the Kenya National Congress.
A party affiliated to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi, the United Progressive Alliance, had pulled out accusing the coalition partners of already campaigning for former Chief Justice David Maraga who has also shown interest in vying for presidency.
“They called us to their meeting and much of the discussion was about Maraga, while our preferred candidate Dr Matiangi was not being cited anywhere and so we pulled out,” UPA Chair Nyambega Gisesa told this journalist in Keroka.
On Sunday, Ongeri said there had been no ‘solid conclusive talks about supporting Maraga’.
“It is premature to conclude that the coalition was pro Maraga and that is why we are finding fault with Oyongo’s visit to State House,” he stated.
His party, PDP has already scheduled a National Executive Council meeting for members to ventilate on the matter before giving an official position.
“The meeting shall be soon and among other things to be deliberated on is if our continued membership in TDC was still tenable in the face of the KNC boss visit to State House,” he said.
Ongeri said “we as party is going to listen to all voices and make a decision at a time appropriate”.
He, however, observed the already the “wave and tide was sweeping in favour of Matiangi”.
“We shall not get it wrong,we shall make a proper decision, if the members okay that we back him so be it, he is our son and is already enjoying massive grassroot support,” he said.
This visit to State House by Oyongo, stated the PDP chair grossly undermines the principles of transparency and accountability of the Taifa Democratic Coalition.
“People, especially our supporters deserve to know what deals are being made behind closed doors,” he said, demanding a public explanation for the visit.
KNC party officials have remained tight-lipped about the details of the meeting.
A source, requesting anonymity, however, defended the controversial visit terming “private consultative session” with President William Ruto.
He accused Ongeri of ‘manufacturing a ghost crisis “.
“There is no point of order at the moment. The coalition will make the decision on who to support at the right time. This is a wrong moment to say that the coalition has taken a stand, Ongeri is only punching in the shadows,” he said by phone.
The State House visit by Oyongo comes amid growing speculation of a scheme by the Ruto administration to scuttle Matiangi’s bid from his home ground through proxies among them South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro.
Oyongo also hails from South Mugirango, the original home to the former powerful Cabinet Secretary.