Calls were heard at Sunday's political rally in Kisumu for unity in order to thwart President Daniel arap Moi's succession plans.

The ruling Kanu party - which has dominated post-independence politics - has been locked in a fierce battle over who will succeed President Moi in an election due by the end of the year.

Uhuru Kenyatta: Moi's choice of successor

And a faction within the ruling party - calling itself the Rainbow Alliance - has emerged opposed to President Moi's plans to push through Uhuru Kenyatta as the party's candidate.

The Rainbow Alliance has been calling for an open contest within the party to choose the candidate.

Kanu Secretary-General Raila Odinga, along with former Vice President George Saitoti and Tourism Minister Kalonzo Musyoka, have all been campaigning against Mr Kenyatta and all three say they will stand for nomination.

They all appeared at the Kisumu rally alongside Ford-People chairman Simeon Nyachae.

He as quoted by the Daily Nation newspaper as saying he would consult with all other forces in the bid to kick President Moi and Kanu out of office.

"There is a common enemy in town and all forces of good intentions must unite to defeat the enemy."

Mr Nyachae said it did not matter who became the head of state as long as it was not Uhuru Kenyatta.

Super Alliance

On Monday, Mr Moi - who is also Kanu chairman - sacked deputy Foreign Minister Peter Odoyo for speaking out against Uhuru Kenyatta and threatening to reveal "nasty things" from his days as a student in the United States.

The president wants opponents to quit or fall in line

At the time, President Moi called on all Kanu members to toe the line over the nomination or leave the party.

The Daily Nation is now predicting that a merger of opposition and ruling party figures will be announced later this week.

It says a "Super Alliance" will see the joining together of the Rainbow Alliance with the National Alliance for Change and possibly the Ford-People coalition.

The decision on who will by Kanu's candidate will be taken at a special congress in mid-October.

The Rainbow Alliance is seeking a free vote, but President Moi wants the candidate to emerge by acclamation.