Party of National Unity
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| Party of National Unity | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Party of National Unity |
| Abbreviation | PNU |
| Founded | 2007 |
| Founder | Mwai Kibaki |
| Headquarters | Nairobi |
| Ideology | Big tent, Conservatism, Economic liberalism |
| Position | Centre-right |
| Colors | Blue |
| Seats1 title | National Assembly |
| Seats2 title | Senate |
Party of National Unity.
The Party of National Unity is a Kenyan political coalition formed in 2007 around the presidency of Mwai Kibaki, intended to unite a range of political actors including figures from Kenya African National Union, Orange Democratic Movement dissidents, and regional parties such as Forum for the Restoration of Democracy–Kenya and Narc. It operated at the intersection of national, regional, and ethnic politics during pivotal events including the 2007 Kenyan general election and the subsequent 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis, involving actors from Raila Odinga's coalition and institutions like the International Criminal Court in later Kenyan politics.
History
The party was established as an umbrella vehicle in 2007 to support President Mwai Kibaki's reelection bid amid competition from Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga and coalitions such as PNU allies drawn from Kikuyu-affiliated organizations and leaders including Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto prior to their later alignments. Its formation followed negotiations among factions of Kenya African National Union, Narc, Democratic Party, and regional movements like UDA precursors, set against the backdrop of constitutional debates culminating in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya promulgation. PNU's role during the disputed 2007 election precipitated the 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis, which led to a power-sharing agreement mediated by Kofi Annan and formalized through an Orange Movement-linked grand coalition between Kibaki and Odinga, reshaping party alignments for the 2013 general election. In subsequent cycles the party experienced defections to formations like The National Alliance (TNA), Jubilee Alliance, and Amani National Congress, reflecting broader realignments exemplified by actors such as Raila Odinga, Kalonzo Musyoka, and Musalia Mudavadi.
Ideology and Platform
PNU presented a big-tent platform combining elements of Conservatism, Economic liberalism, and pro-business policies aimed at constituencies in Central Province and urban centers such as Nairobi and Mombasa. The party emphasized infrastructure projects associated with figures like Uhuru Kenyatta and fiscal approaches influenced by institutions including the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. On constitutional reform the party engaged with debates over the 2010 Constitution of Kenya alongside opponents and allies such as Orange Democratic Movement and Wiper Democratic Movement–Kenya, and its policy positions intersected with regional interests from counties like Kiambu and Nakuru. PNU's platform incorporated stances on land policy linked to disputes involving historical events such as the Mau Forest dispute and legislative frameworks like the Land Act.
Organizational Structure
Organizationally PNU functioned as a coalition secretariat coordinating member parties including Kenya African National Union, Democratic Party, and Narc. Leadership roles often involved national chairman appointments influenced by political heavyweights such as Mwai Kibaki and regional powerbrokers from constituencies like Othaya and Kinyanjui. The party maintained local branches across counties represented in bodies like the National Assembly of Kenya and Senate of Kenya, and it relied on campaign networks overlapping with civil society actors, business elites associated with Nairobi-based firms, and diaspora organizations in locations such as London and Nairobi. Internal structures included candidate selection committees, legal teams engaging with the Supreme Court of Kenya, and liaison units for coalition negotiations exemplified during the formation of the Government of National Unity in 2008.
Electoral Performance
In the 2007 Kenyan general election PNU contested presidential and legislative seats as a coalition and secured the presidency for Mwai Kibaki amid contested results that triggered the 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis and a mediated power-sharing agreement. Legislative outcomes saw PNU-affiliated MPs and allied parties hold significant representation in the National Assembly of Kenya and influence in county-level politics prior to the 2013 reconfiguration of party alliances that produced formations like Jubilee Alliance and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD). Subsequent elections saw diminished independent PNU impact as membership migrated to parties led by figures such as Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga, and William Ruto, though PNU-affiliated candidates remained present in some county and constituency contests, often contesting against incumbents from ODM and Jubilee-aligned parties.
Notable Leaders and Membership
Key personalities associated with PNU included founder Mwai Kibaki and allied politicians who played roles in cabinet and parliamentary positions, interacting with leaders from parties like Democratic Party and Kenya African National Union. Other notable figures who were at various times linked to PNU structures or alliances include Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Odinga (as principal rival), William Ruto (later rival and ally in different configurations), Kalonzo Musyoka, Musalia Mudavadi, and business-affiliated elites from Nairobi. Membership drew from ethnic and regional bases including Kikuyu, Kalenjin, and Coast Province constituencies, and included parliamentarians who later served in administrations and commissions such as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and ministries formed after the 2010 constitutional transition.
Controversies and Criticism
The party's 2007 election victory and association with the ensuing 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis attracted criticism from domestic groups like Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and international observers including the European Union and United Nations mission reports. Allegations concerning electoral irregularities, post-election violence involving communities across Rift Valley and Naivasha, and legal challenges reaching the High Court of Kenya and political mediation by Kofi Annan marked PNU's controversial period. Critics also targeted patronage networks linked to land disputes such as the Mau Forest evictions and criticized policy links with international lenders including the International Monetary Fund and World Bank for perceived austerity and privatization tendencies. Subsequent defections and the party's diminished visibility prompted analysis by scholars and institutions studying party institutionalization in African politics, referencing comparative cases like Kenya African National Union and regional transformations in East Africa.
Category:Political parties in Kenya