Leaders want fair contest in Uhuru's new vehicle

Even before the fanfare of the recent launch of Jubilee Party (JP) subsides, concern is growing over the party primaries.

Anxiety is palpable among aspirants for elective positions as the party top echelons put on hold plans to announce national officials.

Earlier, there were reports that incumbents or those eyeing elective seats would not be party officials.

It was envisaged that a new line up of party officials would be unveiled during the grand party launch but this did not happen.

Assurances that JP would seek services of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct free and fair nominations have not allayed fears of the aspirants with some mulling over going for small party tickets.

Party leader President Uhuru Kenyatta also promised those who lose out in nominations that they would benefit from government positions.

In Nakuru and Nyeri, aspirants have formed caucuses over fears that elected leaders could influence the new party grassroots structure and nominations.

In Central, the caucus led by Wambugu Nyamu is waiting to see if the new party officials will have leaders eyeing elective positions.

“The delay in naming JP officials is worrying because we fear political parties-fronted names. We should surmount this hurdle at the earliest opportunity so that all of us feel we have a level playing ground,” he said.

He said the President should unveil the list of officials so that party branches across the country can start recruiting members in readiness for the nominations.

Simon Mithamo, a senatorial aspirant in Laikipia said picking party officials was a delicate affair that should ensure balance and representation across the country.

Mr Mithamo said most of aspirants hope nominations will be conducted by IEBC. Rahab Mukami, a Nyeri Women Representative aspirant said: “I’m worried by the delay in naming of officials because we are getting information that there is infighting in JP headquarters. They promised to make the names of party officials public during the launch but they did not.” More than 100 aspirants who converged at a Nakuru hotel recently said they were worried that sitting MPs might hijack the party and lock them out of nominations.

“There are some sitting MPs, Senators, Women Representatives, MCAs and governors strategising to take leadership of the new party at the grassroots so that they can frustrate their opponents during primaries,” said Abdul Noor, Nakuru County Aspirants Forum chairman.

In North Rift, the aspirants are also jittery. Hezekiah Kosgei, a Soy parliamentary aspirant urged the party leaders to make public the nomination requirements to avoid locking out hopefuls at the last minute.

“The party officials should make such details available for us. I have seen most contenders locked out simply because they did not have proper documents or required registration amount,” he noted.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Kesses parliamentary hopeful Jacob Yego who said the JP leadership should win the confidence of all aspirants. “Most of us have seen the essence of competing through a JP ticket and we would like the secretariat to ensure that the primaries are free and fair. If possible, successful candidates should be awarded certificates at the grassroots,” he said.

Getrude Chemutai, a youthful aspirant for Turbo parliamentary seat, is optimistic that the nominations will be fair if conducted by IEBC.

“We however hope that the primaries will be well conducted so that they don’t taint the credibility of the electoral body months before the General Election,” she said.

Barnabas Sang who is eyeing Nandi gubernatorial seat is banking on assurance by President Kenyatta and Deputy William Ruto that there will be no preferred candidates.

Embakasi East aspirant Francis Mureithi said he was confident in the President’s assurance that there are no preferred candidates. “The President has said there are no favourites, now let us go out and popularise our party,” he said.

Other parties like Kanu, New Vision Party and Chama cha Mashinani are positioning themselves to reap from the nominations fall out.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto of CCM said his party would be a big winner following the merger of Jubilee affiliates. “We are strategically placed to receive members from the parties that formed JP. Interestingly, most aspirants have expressed their desire to vie on a CCM ticket. It is also apparent that most voters want aspirants to clearly explain the vehicle they will use,” said Ruto.

Nandi Senator Stephen Sang however dismissed fears of a fallout saying the nominations will be free and fair under the watch of IEBC.

“There has been a big number of leaders defecting to JP from the opposition as well as those who were elected as independent candidates and the nomination will be free and fair,” said Mr Sang.

Chesumei MP Elijah Lagat also expressed confidence that the nominations would be free and fair.

Mr Phillip Chebunet, a lecturer at the University of Eldoret said aspirants should decide early enough their election vehicles.