Jubilee MPs in final push for Uhuruto's re-election vehicle

Jubilee MPs will today converge in Karen, Nairobi, in their final push for the formation of a single party ahead of next year's General Election.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto have emphasised on the importance of a single political vehicle to seek re-election in next year's polls. Despite suspicion from some Jubilee constituent parties, the leaders will meet to ratify their constitution, approve party colours, election rules and nomination regulations for the umbrella party.

Speaking with The Standard, Jubilee Party steering co-chair and Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi said the retreat will culminate in the launch of the Jubilee Party. He noted they would use the meeting to sort out all the issues ahead of the launch.

"We will use the retreat to finalise the issues concerning the constitution, rules of nomination and election and any other matter before the party is unveiled," said Kiraitu.

The thorny issue of party nominations will likely dominate the two-day retreat at Kenya Commercial Bank Training Centre in Karen. Kiraitu said the party was awaiting debate and passing of the amendment at the Senate and would immediately launch when the Political Parties Amendment Bill becomes law.

The National Alliance (TNA), United Republican Party (URP), Alliance Party of Kenya, United Democratic Front, Ford-People, New Ford Kenya, Grand National Unity and the Republican Party endorsed the merger of the parties.

A special Legal Affairs sub-committee team will make a presentation on how party nominations will be held and seek to allay fears of some leaders, who have developed cold feet, for fear that the process might not be free and fair. The sub-committee co-chaired by TNA Secretary General Onyango Oloo and Narok Woman Rep Soipan Tuya had been mandated to explore ways of ironing out contentious legal issues that may arise after the individual parties dissolve.

Co-party's steering committee co-chair Noah Wekesa told The Standard they had 'a heavy agenda' at the day-long meeting. "We want to fast-track the formation of party. We are in the final stages of discussing the structures, content, vision and manifesto of the new party," said Dr Wekesa.

"New Ford Kenya and Ford People had some in-house issues, but they have sorted them out now, their representatives will be at the meeting and we expect them to join us," he added.

Endebess MP Robert Pukose, who is in the steering committee on behalf of URP, said they were geared up for the meeting.