DISSIDENTS ARRIVING AT NAIROBI PARLIAMENT FOR MEETING OF K.P.U.; KENYATTA SPEAKING (SOF).



KENYATTA: "THE MEMBERS OF THE DISSIDENT GROUP CLAIM THEY HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE VOTERS. WE MUST NOW ASK THEM TO GIVE THE VOTERS THE CHANCE TO EXPRESS THEIR WILL. THEY MUST GO BACK TO THE VOTERS AND STATE THEIR CASE AGAINST KANU AND MY GOVERNMENT. FOR THIS REASON THE GOVERNMENT HAS ACCEPTED THE RESOLUTION OF THE PARLIAMENTARY GROUP AND DECIDED TO CONVENE PARLIAMENT AT ONCE TO PASS A LAW THAT REQUIRES ALL THE MEMBERS WHO HAVE RESIGNED FROM THE VOTERS. IF ANY OF THEM IS RETURNED HE WILL THEN BE ABLE TO TAKE HIS SEAT AS A MEMBER OF THE OPPOSITION."




Initials PBS/V/JF/JG



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: THE FIRST MEETING OF A NEW POLITICAL PARTY IN KENYA, THE KENYA PEOPLE'S UNION, HELD ITS FIRST MEETING IN NAIROBI YESTERDAY (TUESDAY) UNDER THE CHAIRMANSHIP OF MR. OGINGA ODINGA, FORMER VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE RULING KENYA AFRICAN NATIONAL UNION.

MR. OGINGA ODINGA HAS DESCRIBED HIMSELF AS THE PRESIDENT OF A NEW OPPOSITION PARTY, AND CLAIMS THE SUPPORT OF 29 MEN WHO RECENTLY RESIGNED FROM K.A.N.U. IN OPPOSITION TO PRESIDENT KENYATTA'S HOME AND FOREIGN POLICIES.

MR. OGINGA ODINGA SAID HE WAS ASKING THE GOVERNMENT TO REGISTER THE NEW PARTY S SOON AS POSSIBLE. AMONG THE MEMBERS OF THE K.P.U. ARE MR. ONEKO,WHO RESIGNED FROM THE MINISTRY OF INFORMATION A SHORT TIME AGO, AND MR. KAGGIA, WHO WAS SEVERELY ATTACKED BY PRESIDENT KENYATTA SOME TIME AGO.

YESTERDAY, PRESIDENT KENYATTA OUTLINED TO NEWSMEN STEPS THAT WOULD BE TAKEN AGAINST MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WHO HAD RESIGNED TO JOIN THE NEW OPPOSITION PARTY. A LAW IS TO BE PASSED REQUIRING THOSE WHO HAVE RESIGNED TO SEEK A FRESH MANDATE FROM THEIR ELECTORATES.

BOTH HOUSES OF THE KENYA NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ARE MEETING IN SPECIAL SESSIONS TOMORROW (THURSDAY) AT THE REQUEST OF THE GOVERNMENT.