Jubilee Party gets 'resistance' in North Rift

Disquiet is sweeping across the North Rift over the planned dissolution of Jubilee affiliate parties to form the Jubilee Party.

Some of the grassroots supporters of United Republican Party (URP), the dominant party in the region, are insisting that their party should be strengthened instead of being dissolved.

Even as top political leaders from the region exude confidence in the planned merger in March, they are likely to face an uphill task marketing the new political outfit that President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto intend to use to seek re-election in next year’s General Election.

Despite the deputy president hosting numerous strong delegations before Christmas at his Sugoi home in Uasin Gishu County to drum up support for the Jubilee Party, some residents seem reluctant to make a move.

The DP met over 6,000 delegates from North, South and Central Rift to market ideals of the new outfit. He also received another delegation from Western region, as the governing Jubilee administration seeks to solidify unity ahead of the next polls.

Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago and Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi who are staunch allies of Mr Ruto received a strong backlash when they attempted to promote Jubilee Party in Eldoret during the New Year party.

When Mr Sudi tried to market Jubilee, the huge crowd instead shouted URP and completely refused to hear anything to do with Jubilee Party. At some point, the MP was forced to cut short his address and invite Mr Mandago.

Sensing the mood of the crowd, Sudi asked: “Ni wangapi wanaunga mkono Jubilee Party? (how many are in support of Jubilee Party?)” Nobody answered and instead disapprovingly waved back.

When he asked how many supported URP, the crowd cheered wildly, leaving the MP baffled.

Frustrated, Sudi told the crowd; “At one time, we will come to understand one another. We need to strengthen our unity with our partners through the merger.”

EVADED ISSUE

Governor Mandago having sensed the mood of the crowd, skilfully evaded the issue of parties, and instead said all that a majority of the Kalenjins cared about was to be in government.

“The most important thing is for us to be united and move in one direction because we want to be in Government. We will never benefit from being out of the Government,” said Mandago.

The people, some from the counties neighbouring Uasin Gishu, had a fun-filled night punctuated with speeches to mark the New Year.

The region overwhelmingly supported URP in the last General Election with the majority of current leaders triumphing through the party ticket for the respective elective positions. With the current political development in the country, some URP supporters say the party should be strengthened instead of forging alliances through new parties ahead of the next general elections.

Some also say they will support President Kenyatta and his Deputy Ruto in the next elections under the new political outfit but will elect other leaders ‘based on individual performance and not party’.

“There is need to elect a leader who will deliver according to the needs of residents. There is need to do away with the common three-piece suit that leads to election of non-performers because of parties,” said a caller to a local vernacular radio station during a talk show.

Callers of the show criticised the ‘three-piece suit’ (election of leaders from President to county representatives under one party) in euphoria saying it locks out leaders who can articulate issues facing the electorate.

They claimed that some leaders elected on euphoria had displayed poor leadership skills.

“What we are experiencing right now is unfortunate. Those elected as independent candidates are doing marvelous work compared to some of those from parties. As the electorate, we have learnt and we shall show it in action in the coming polls,” said the caller from the North Rift.

An Eldoret-based lawyer Kiprotich Cherargei said there is a much likelihood of the election of independent candidates “with good leadership characteristics” in the next elections.

Mr Cherargei noted there is disquiet among URP supporters who argue that the Constitution respects political parties and as such, the dissolution of others to facilitate a merger with others should not arise.

“There is a wider argument among the electorate that we have coalitions under the Political Parties Act. Why are we in a hurry to break our parties?” he asked.

He added: “There should be no assumption that people have backed Jubilee Party, even after the DP’s recent meetings at his Sugoi home. It will be an uphill task marketing the outfit.”

The Department of Communication studies at the University of Eldoret (UoE) Chairman Phillip Chebunet said: “I expect the likelihood of the emergence of another party to gather in the interest of the Kalenjin community and those who will fear to join the new party.”