Jubilee lawmakers move to revive moribund party
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s allies in Mt Kenya have launched an aggressive campaign to revitalise Jubilee Party ahead of its National Delegates Conference (NDC), in what is emerging as deliberate efforts to make the outfit a dominant party in the region in the August 9 polls.
The plot, according to sources within Uhuru’s camp is to ensure the party, which has suffered from a mass walk out by Deputy President William Ruto and his backers who have joined United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and embarrassing defeats in four local by-elections, roars back to life so that Mt Kenya region can use it to negotiate in the Azimio La Umoja, an ensemble Uhuru and Raila Odinga have formed.
Their move could jolt other parties in the region supportive of Azimio la Umoja, among them Party of National Unity (PNU) associated with Agriculture minister Peter Munya and Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, Ubuntu People’s Forum of Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, Devolution Empowerment Party of Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi who have declared that they will seek re-election on a Jubilee ticket, have since last week been holding organised constituency meetings in support of the party, with reports indicating that pro-Uhuru wing has embarked an overdrive to poach aspirants with perceived influence in their respective electoral areas.
According to insiders , the party intends to “emerge as majority party at the Council of Governors, National Assembly, Senate and in over 30 county assemblies”.
But DP allies argue that no activity can resuscitate the life of the ruling party, with Murang’a Senator Irungu Kangata saying: “Jubilee died long time ago. It cannot be revived . Joining Jubilee is like joining ODM. No one can be hoodwinked and hence its not a major issue.”
Yesterday, after holding meetings in Gatundu North, Kinangop, Nyeri Town and Mukurwe-ini constituencies where they have also been distributing Jubilee branded merchandize, MPs Kanini Kega (Kieni), Wanjiku Wa Kibe (Gatundu North) and Henry Kwenya (Kinango) were hosted by Kiambu Town MP Jude Njomo in his constituency.
Welcome defectors
The MPs used the event to welcome Githunguri MP Kago wa Lydia, a Tanga Tanga member and Kiambu Woman Rep aspirant Gladys Chania who was in Baringo Senator Gideon Moi-led Kanu.
“There are people who have been insinuating that the party is dead but it has been alive only that we have been active in the campaigns. We are now out to popularize the party ,” Njomo told People Daily yesterday.
Kega said: “We saw ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi and his counterpart of Ford Kenya Moses Wetangula being embraced as co-principals by UDA through the DP. He (Ruto) is saying that he will not form coalitions with parties from Mt. Kenya .We will be rejuvenating our Jubilee party as a vehicle from this region.”
From its new colours which are red and white and the symbol of a dove, the party looks like a reincarnation of the defunct The National Alliance (TNA) which in 2013 was dominant in Mt Kenya and swept nearly all seats, but also had presence in Nairobi, Kajiado and northeastern where Uhuru commanded political influence.
While decamping Chania said: “After listening to the ground in Kiambu, most people want me to be in Jubilee, and today (yesterday) is when I have been received by the party and I will be the Woman Rep candidate for Jubilee in Kiambu.”
Chania, who between 2013 and 2016 was TNA’s county coordinator will be making her second stab in the race, with her key opponents being, outspoken marriage and relationships counselor-cum-comedian Ann Wamuratha and gospel musician Loise Kim, both eying UDA ticket and nominated MCA Njeri Bakari.
Kago said: “Jubilee is the only party that has shown a proven development record, and those dismissing the party to do so at their own peril. We will team up with the likes of Jude Njomo and other MPs from the county to help in restoring it’s lost glory.”
