Ruling coalition to launch Jubilee Party as Murungi cautions rivals

Jubilee Party steering committee co-chair Noah Wekesa and other leaders address the media in Nairobi on May 18, 2016. The party will be launched next month. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Murungi downplayed Meru Governor Peter Munya’s plans to launch his party and use it to vie for the presidency in 2022.
  • The Meru governor, who fell out with Mr Murungi over folding up of the Alliance Party of Kenya, has been the region’s leading voice against merger of parties to form Jubilee Party.
  • Mr Murungi - who wants to unseat Mr Munya - said they will embark on a vigorous party popularization campaign next month.

eThe Jubilee Party will be launched in a month, its National Steering Committee spokesman has said.

After a meeting attended by Deputy President William Ruto in Nairobi on Monday, Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua said they had agreed to expedite the launch.

He, however, said the National Delegates Conference will precede the launch.

“Both the National Delegates Conference (NDC) and the launch of the party will be carried out at the Safaricom Stadium, Kasarani,” said Mr Gachagua, adding that is when they would discuss nominations.

He said countrywide nominations will be carried out in one day to avoid rigging.

Already, 12 parties have agreed to merge with the ruling Jubilee coalition to form the new party.

National Steering Committee co-chairman Noah Wekesa confirmed that election and nomination rules, as well as the party manifesto and the constitution, had been finalised.

REBELLIOUS POLITICIANS

The documents will be submitted to the President before they are presented at the NDC at a date to be decided on by the President.

Earlier, Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi said rebellious politicians from the Mt Kenya region will not withstand the Jubilee Party (JP) wave.

Mr Murungi downplayed Meru Governor Peter Munya’s plans to unveil his own party and use it to vie for the presidency in 2022.

The Meru governor, who fell out with Mr Murungi about the folding up of the Alliance Party of Kenya, has been the region’s leading voice against a merger of parties to form JP.

Speaking at Katheri Girls High School during a fundraiser, Mr Murungi, who seeking the governorship, said his team would embark on a vigorous party popularization campaign next month.

“Governor Munya’s party is not known and is yet to be launched. It cannot take this region anywhere because it has been formed to serve selfish interests,” Mr Murungi said.

He urged residents and political aspirants to support the party because it can unite the country.

Mr Murungi said there was no need for politicians to fear seeking elective positions under Jubilee since nominations will be free and fair.

“I urge all the people in this region to ignore any other party including Mr Munya’s political vehicle. All aspirants eyeing elective posts in Mt Kenya East should consider contesting on JP ticket because we have put watertight measures in place to ensure a free and fair nomination process,” he said.

'KILLING DEMOCRACY'

The senator said that just like opposition leaders have been fighting to consolidate the western Kenya vote, Jubilee would be keen to preserve its backing in the Mt Kenya region.

“We want this region to fully support the Jubilee Party. Cord and other parties should not be given room in the region,” he said.

He hit out at Mr Munya, saying his planned 2022 presidential bid would not see the light of day since he has no national following.

“The governor cannot draw the attention of voters even in the neighbouring Isiolo or Tharaka-Nithi counties,” he charged.

Imenti Central MP Mwiti Irea, who accompanied the senator, said since the governor had failed to unite Meru leaders he could not unite the country.

“The Meru MPs decided to support Mr Murungi for governor because he knows how to work with other leaders,” Mr Mwiti said.

Mr Munya has maintained that the formation of the Jubilee Party is killing democracy.

The Council of Governor’s chairman has said he will unveil his new outfit once JP is launched.

(By Philip Momanyi)