Nelson Dzuya defends JAP as party divides leaders in Meru

What you need to know:

  • We want our own party with which we can look for votes, says Munya.
  • Chairman says outfit will change political landscape of the Coast as rift rocks APK over plans to collapse and merge it with Jubilee party.

Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) national chairman Nelson Dzuya has defended the formation of the new outfit, saying it is the answer to the people’s wish for a party with a national outlook.

Speaking on Friday at Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Mr Dzuya said JAP would change the political landscape of the coast region.

“There’s no need of persistently being in the opposition without tangible results and time has come to change our attitude for the good of our people and region,” he added.

At hand to receive him were Mombasa Anglican Church of Kenya Bishop Julius Kalu, Imams and Mjikenda Kaya elders before his convoy snaked through Changamwe with stopovers at Mazeras and Rabai in Kilifi County.

While responding to media questions at the airport, Mr Dzuya said JAP will have its own structures from ward level.

And in a bid to reassure the critics, MR Dzuya promised JAP would take everybody’s interest on board.

“We expect one or two parties to challenge us in the next general election by offering people the best alternative,” he said.

Already, according to a Mombasa women’s activist Janet Mbete, the new outfit has attracted the likes of former Changamwe MP Ramadhan Seif Kajembe and Mombasa businessman Suleiman Shahbal.

“Let ODM not think that Coast is Orange! We are going to paint Coast red and yellow very soon because we have the mobilisers that popularised ODM in the region,” she said.

However, critics believe the JAP might not affect coast politics.

“JAP cannot shed its affiliation to the Jubilee alliance and this will make it difficult to sell itself here (Coast),” said a source who did not wish to be named.

For weeks now, news of the proposed Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani has dominated local politics in the coast region.

Meanwhile, leaders in Meru region are divided over the formation of JAP and by the declaration of Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki as the spokesman of the community ahead of 2017 elections.

The Sunday Nation has established that a rift is developing within one of the most popular parties in the region, the Alliance Party of Kenya (APK).

Divergent views over the possible dissolution of the “Bus” party is driving a wedge between party leader Kiraitu Murungi, also the Meru Senator and Meru Governor Peter Munya who is the party’s director of elections.

Mr Munya has been the most vocal in criticising the dissolution and merging of APK for what he terms as an attempt to use JAP for selfish political gains.

The political realignment is being fueled by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s succession and his exit after serving the allowed two terms, should he win a second term in 2017.

Prof Kindiki is seen as a possible running mate to Deputy President William Ruto’s in 2022.

“We have not sat down as APK and decided that we dissolve and support this new party. We have to talk as members and know what we will get from this arrangement. We want our own party with which we can set an agenda with and look for votes with,” said Mr Munya on Wednesday when he opened a market at Chaaria in Central Imenti.