Jubilee postpones meeting to pick presidential candidate

The Jubilee coalition on Monday postponed its delegates conference to name a presidential candidate as divisions rocked the alliance, threatening to end the union of three parties.

"The Jubilee Coalition has by mutual agreement decided to postpone the delegates conference earlier slated for Tuesday, 18th December 2012 so as to allow for more time for the parties to agree on a method by which to pick the Presidential flag-bearer," said a statement by Jubilee Coalition.

The coalition’s leaders Uhuru Kenyatta (URP), Musalia Mudavadi (UDF) and William Ruto (URP) met for more than 12 hours — nine hours on Sunday night and three hours Monday morning—seeking to find a common ground on presidential nominations.

The three were not helped by TNA and UDF hardliners, the former pushing for a delegates conference and the later insisting on a consensus a system to nominate a flag bearer.

The extent of the confusion was magnified by the presence of TNA delegates in Nairobi and preparations for the convention at the Moi International Stadium, Kasarani for the Jubilee coalition big day.

“We have postponed the delegates conference to 24th to give room to our party leaders to talk to consult their members over the decisions that were reached. By Friday, we should have complete lists of delegates to participate in the conference,” said URP spokesman Aden Duale.

The Dujis MP refuted reports suggesting that Mr Kenyatta and Mr Ruto had fallen out with Mr Mudavadi with TNA and URP leaders set to revert to their initial coalition agreement.

He also clarified that the conference had been postponed, not cancelled.

“It is still on. Between today and then, the three leaders will go back to their parties to explain to them the decisions that have been reached,” he said without elaborating.