President Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party plans to convene its National Delegates Conference (NDC) at the end of the month to officially kick out Deputy President William Ruto.
The party is seeking to revoke Ruto’s membership and endorse a coalition deal with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.
Speaking after the National Management Committee (NMC) and parliamentary leadership meeting at the party’s headquarters in Nairobi, Raphael Tuju said they were in consultation with the president to agree on a date for a top party organ meeting.
“We are preparing for our National Delegates Conference, which is the highest organ of the party. It is for that reason that we decided to have a broader deliberation that involves the NMC and parliamentary leadership,” he said.
“It’s in the Constitution that those who don’t subscribe to party policies are let go. That should concern you as much as it concerns us. The NDC is the highest party organ and whatever it decides prevails.”
Jubilee and ODM have since drafted an agreement to field a joint presidential candidate in next year’s polls.
“Our discussions with ODM are ongoing. There are discussions that have been done at our level and there are discussions that are being done at the level of the party leaders,” he said.
Ruto had announced that he will quit the Jubilee Party while addressing a rally at Kasikeu Township, Makueni County last week.
He said he will throw his weight behind his party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), and urged his supporters to back it.
Ruto said the move to UDA is based on the fact the ruling party has been rocked by divisions, has lost its ideals and is beyond salvage.