KANU will not join JAP as Ruto announces possible formation of new party

KANU will not join JAP as Ruto announces possible formation of new party

The Jubilee Coalition has suffered another blow after Kenya’s longest ruling party Kenya African National Union (KANU) dismissed calls to dissolve and join the newly formed political outfit – the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP).

KANU luminary and national chair Gideon Moi said his party will not be dissolved at any particular moment and will stay put bearing in mind that it enjoys strong support at the grassroots level.

Mr Moi, who is also the Baringo Senator, said KANU was Kenya’s longest ruling party and its dominance still continues despite losing the country’s leadership to coalitions.

He said the party is not ready to join JAP as this will be spelling doom to its supporters and members.

The Baringo Senator further said dissolution of Jubilee Coalition affiliate parties and formation of JAP is an undemocratic since all other parties will lose their bargaining power.

Moi’s sentiments were echoed by a section of other leaders from Rift Valley who accused Jubilee of trying to impose political parties to the people.

The leaders said this will kill democracy and gains the country has realized since the re-introduction of multi-party democracy in 1992.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, who was also attending a fundraiser in aid of West Pokot County Assembly Leader of Majority Simon Kalekem’s children education, said the motive behind Jubilee’s call to dissolve affiliate parties and join JAP was clear; to stop any dissenting voices within the party.

He accused his party, the United Republican Party (URP), of being easily convinced to dissolve and join JAP.

He said the dissolution of Jubilee affiliate parties is a clear indication of lack of internal democracy in the coalition.

Ruto further said the dissolution of other parties means that the misuse of public funds by the government will pass unquestioned.

He said that leaders of like-minds are ready to form another political party that will save Kenyans from the bondage of poverty and dictatorship.

West Pokot Senator John Lunyangapuo said it was a wrong decision for URP to join JAP as the party will lose its following and support in the Rift Valley region.

On Thursday URP announced that it will dissolve on December 18th to allow its members to join JAP, the vehicle which President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto will use to seek re-election.

URP’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolved to hold a national delegates convention in December to ratify the dissolution.

This comes amid amendments to the Political Parties Act to be moved in Parliament next week, through which the ruling coalition seeks to clip the wings of rebels under the coalition.

Early October, the Jubilee coalition affiliate parties were given up to December to fold up and lead their members to JAP.

The ruling coalition set up a 30-member National Steering Committee led by Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi and former Cabinet Minister Dr. Noah Wekesa to oversee the transition.

However, some leaders including Meru Governor and Council of Governors Chair Peter Munya and his Tharaka Nithi Dr. Samuel Ragwa counterpart among others have opposed the dissolution of their parties and the formation of JAP.

Want to send us a story? Submit on Wananchi Reporting on the Citizen Digital App or Send an email to wananchi@royalmedia.co.ke or Send an SMS to 25170 or WhatsApp on 0743570000

Leave a Comment

Comments

No comments yet.

latest stories