In what appears to be deliberate efforts to make President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party dominant in Mount Kenya region ahead of August 9 polls, Kenyatta’s allies have launched an aggressive campaign to revitalise the party ahead of its National Delegates Conference (NDC).
The proposal to rebrand Jubilee Party and adopt new colours, symbol and flag was among the enlisted top priorities.
The party appears to be a rebirth of the defunct, The National Alliance (TNA) which was powerful in Mt Kenya in 2013 and captured nearly all seats but also had presence in Nairobi, Kajiado, and the north-eastern where Kenyatta wielded political influence.
The plan is to ensure that the party, which has been battered by a mass walkout by Deputy President William Ruto and his supporters who have joined the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and humiliating 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 Kenyatta and Raila Odinga have formed.
Remnants have since dropped the handshake symbol and reintroduced a symbol featuring a dove originally depicted in the TNA logo.
The party has also dropped the yellow colour associated with Ruto’s URP which features prominently in UDA’s branding.
Other parties in the region that support Azimio la Umoja, such as the Party of National Unity (PNU) led by Agriculture Minister Peter Munya and Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, the Ubuntu People’s Forum of Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, and the Devolution Empowerment Party of Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi, have been holding organized constituency meetings in support of Azimio la Umoja since last week.
However, DP supporters contend that no effort can bring the ruling party back to life, with Murang’a Senator Irungu Kangata stating, “Jubilee died a long time ago.” It can’t be resurrected. Jubilee membership is the same as ODM membership. No one can be duped, so it’s not a significant problem.”
MPs Kanini Kega (Kieni), Wanjiku Wa Kibe (Gatundu North), and Henry Kwenya (Kinango) were hosted by Kiambu Town MP Jude Njomo in his constituency yesterday after holding meetings in Gatundu North, Kinangop, Nyeri Town, and Mukurwe-ini constituencies where they were also distributing Jubilee branded merchandize. The MPs utilized the occasion to greet Githunguri MP Kago wa Lydia, a Tanga Tanga member, and Kiambu Woman Rep contender Gladys Chania, who had been in Baringo Senator Gideon Moi’s Kanu.
Other Jubilee Party members moved to smaller regional outfits amid an outcry from a section of the membership that the party had lost its touch with the populace following multiple by-election losses.
Jubilee has faced blows after losing by-elections in Juja and Kiambaa this made many believe that the party is dead. Many have actually opined that the party cannot recover from the hit that came with the losses.
The rebirth could be a repeat of 19 years ago when President Daniel Moi left power many thought Kanu had died.
It is, however, still a key political outfit in the country that all political players are seeking to have an alliance with.
Jubilee can be this kind of party if individuals who already belong to it decide to focus on rebuilding it without the President. He has more responsibilities as President of Kenya than party politics.