Standard Team Liberal Democratic Party of Kenya chairman Mr David Musila and Nominated MP Mr Mutula Kilonzo are optimistic that the ODM-Kenya would form the next government. In separate interviews the two said the formation of the party was a result of intense pressure from the public for them unite. "ODM has a bright future and if anybody is doubting that then he must be forgetting history," added Musila. Musila, who is also the National Assembly Deputy Speaker, said when ODM went to fight it out at the referendum last year it was a loose movement but it trounced the Government. "What of now that we have formed a solid party under the same movement? I believe we shall be stronger than when we formed the original Narc before the 2002 General Election," he added. He disclosed that LDP would not go for presidential nominations as there was no need now because a candidate would be chosen from ODM-Kenya. Kilonzo, on his part, said the new party would hold. "It will form the next government." And yesterday, the party leaders demanded that the on-going voter-registration be extended by at least two months. They said more time was needed to overcome logistical and bureaucratic bottlenecks that threaten to lock out more than the five million potential voters targeted by the exercise that ends mid next month. "We challenge the Government to list district-by-district registration figures. We’re informed in some areas, registration clerks are even going to schools registering students. Why can’t this be done everywhere?" Musila asked. Even as they waxed optimistic, pro-government leaders were less optimistic. Nobel Peace laureate, Prof Wangari Maathai, said the formation of ODM-Kenya has left her confused and declared that she was not ready to dissolve her Mazingira Green Party for the sake of the newly created outfit whose principals she was not familiar with. The Tetu MP said that the new party, which is based on individual membership, seems to have worked against individual parties. Maathai said that she would be happy to join a coalition like Narc, which advocated for other parties to evolve and co-exist without killing the parties’ visions. Co-operatives and Marketing Minister Mr Njeru Ndwiga said the outfit comprised nothing less than Kanu remnants. "Point out to me who in ODM-Kenya has never been or is not in Kanu. They have embarked on an exercise to rebaptise Kanu," said Ndwiga. Transport Minister Mr Chirau Ali Mwakwere described ODM-Kenya as made up of political parties, which have conflicting ideologies and which can therefore never garner mass support. Immigration and Registration of Persons Assistant minister Mr Ananiah Mwaboza said yesterday that his team was ready to do battle with ODM-Kenya heavyweights led by Mr Raila Odinga. Tourism Minister Mr Morris Dzoro said the parties that have come together did not consult their members. But Health minister Charity Ngilu said that the launch of the party is calculated to strengthen the movement, describing it as a wake-up call for Narc to put its house in order. | 
