Waiguru calls for Jubilee polls after Murathe asks Ruto to retire

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has called for Jubilee elections for the selection of leaders who can speak on behalf of the party.

This call was part of Ms Waiguru's views on differences that have resulted from the 2022 succession debate, vice chair David Murathe having called for Deputy President William Ruto's retirement.

NATIONAL GOALS

The governor noted that the party, headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Mr Ruto, needs to prevent division.

“It is imperative and in order that Jubilee hold party elections, as soon as possible, to forestall internal divisions and ensure statements are made by elected party officials, and that they in fact represent the views of the Jubilee Party as a whole,” she said in a statement to newsrooms on Saturday.

“Jubilee needs a leadership that has a legitimate mandate and the people’s support," she added and noted that her statement did not reflect the position of the party.

Ms Waiguru further asked the ruling coalition to support the Building Bridges Initiative, that arose from the unity deal between Mr Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga, as well as the president's Big Four agenda.

“Jubilee is the ruling party, [which] must therefore always demonstrate on unity of purpose and exhibit its undivided support for the Big Four, as well as accelerated development and enhancement of devolution for the welfare of Kenyans," she said.

"Jubilee must support the Building Bridges Initiative to ensure the continued unity of the nation."

RETIREMENT CALL

The differences in the party followed vice chair David Murathe's call for DP Ruto to retire with President Kenyatta at the end of his second term.

In his call, Mr Murathe said the Kikuyu community does not have a memorandum of understanding with anyone regarding the 2022 election.

He noted that President Kenyatta and DP Ruto have led Kenya for two terms, so they should both retire.

"If he (William Ruto) has an MoU with Uhuru Kenyatta, then that was an agreement between two individuals," he said.

He added: "If you (Ruto) have led with Uhuru for two terms, what else do you want. We don't know someone who will guard us but we know someone who will break us. We will take someone who will safeguard Mt Kenya."\

Dr Ruto is expected to vie for the presidency in the next general election.

With new alliances, however, it is not clear whether President Kenyatta will back him.

In addition, Mr Ruto’s allies in Jubilee have accused Mr Odinga of trying to use the unity deal as a launching pad for his State House ambition.

Mr Odinga is currently the African Union