THERE has been widespread speculation that Deputy Prime Minister Musalia Mudavadi might now become the presidential candidate for the TNA/URP/UDF alliance.

Deputy Prime Minister Uhuru Kenyatta and Eldoret North MP William Ruto would then stand down from their joint ticket. Uhuru and Ruto are charged with crimes against humanity at the ICC. If elected, they would have to stand trial, or face international arrest warrants.

The repercussions in Kenya could be catastrophic. Already Uhuru and Ruto face travel restrictions to Europe and the USA. But if they were elected, sanctions would certainly intensify.

Former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan advising this week that it would be disastrous if Kenya elected indicted ICC suspects. This is not an international conspiracy. It was Kenya that sent the PEV cases to the ICC. Parliament refused to set up a local tribunal and said justice would only come from the ICC. Ruto himself argued, 'Don't be vague, ask for the Hague'.

Mudavadi would be a much safer flag bearer for the country and for the Jubilee Coalition than Uhuru and Ruto. They have not yet confirmed that they are standing down but it is definitely the right thing to do.

Quote of the day: "Any man can make mistakes, but only an idiot persists in his error." - Roman orator Cicero was murdered by Mark Anthony's soldiers on December 7, 43 BC