Machakos county Senator Johnson Muthama addresses the media at his home
in Gigiri on April 22, 2013.He reiterated that he is ready to step down
for Kalonzo Musyoka. PHOTO / ANN KAMONI
By NATION REPORTER
Posted Monday, April 22 2013 at 23:30
Posted Monday, April 22 2013 at 23:30
Mr Muthama denied that talks on who should resign
to pave the way for either Mr Musyoka or former Prime Minister Raila
Odinga had collapsed, but instead blamed Mr Musyoka for dilly-dallying
over his next move.
“Muthama has never issued a statement stating that
discussions on who should resign have failed. It is a total lie,” he
told reporters in Nairobi on Monday.
“I was first to suggest that the Cord presidential
candidate and his running mate should get back to Parliament because
they need a platform. Right now, we have not less than 20 legislators
willing to resign for them. There is no intimidation and there is no
pushing whatsoever,” he added.
Mr Muthama noted that there was nothing strange
in the move to have the two back in Parliament because, historically,
leaders who fail to clinch the presidency have always been nominated.
He also referred to Kenya’s first president Jomo
Kenyatta who got into Parliament after one of Kanu MPs resigned his
seat, paving the way for him to be become the Prime Minister in 1963.
The late Jaramogi Oginga and former president Mwai Kibaki remained MPs
after losing their presidential bids.
Trigger by-election
The current Constitution bars presidential
candidates from contesting parliamentary seats at the same time compared
to the old constitution.
The Cord candidates can only get back to Parliament if an MP resigns, triggering a by-election.
“If Kalonzo says he wants to get back to the
Senate, I am out. If Raila says he wants to be in the Senate, am out. In
fact my resignation statement is ready. What we are waiting for is for
Kalonzo to declare his stand and there is nothing wrong with that.”
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