The mega Jubilee Party is about to blast off, carrying President Uhuru Kenyatta’s aspirations to re-election.
Some 7,370 delegates meet today at Kasarani Indoor Arena to ratify formation of the Mother of All Parties, the mother ship.
Yesterday, unity was the theme as 11 Jubilee coalition affiliates closed up shop ahead of their merger today into Jubilee Party.
GNU, URP, TIP, TNA and Ford People held their National Delegates Conventions at Kasarani where they disbanded. UDF, NFK, RC, APK, JAP and UPK dissolved at meetings held at the Bomas of Kenya.
When they gather today, delegates from all parties will ratify the merger instruments, including the JP constitution, nomination rules and elections rules.
Deputy President William Ruto, deputy JP leader, will deliver the keynote address today. Party leader President Uhuru Kenyatta tomorrow addresses the Jubilee Convention and the official launch.
During meetings yesterday, Turkana Senator John Munyes, Turkana East MP Nicholas Ngikor and Loima’s Protus Akuja announced they would defect to Jubilee.
Also announcing defections to Jubilee were Mathare MP Stephen Kariuki and nominated MP Isaac Mwaura.
Akuja, Mwaura and Kariuki were elected through ODM, while Munyes and Ngikor got Ford Kenya tickets.
“I resigned as Ford Kenya chair yesterday (Wednesday). I urge (Bungoma Senator Moses) Wetang’ula and the Ford Kenya family to join me,” Munyes said yesterday.
Wetang’ula, who is leader of the party, said he will run for President in the August 8, 2017 general election.
The first to merge at Kasarani was Ruto’s URP, represented by National Assembly Majority Leader Adan Duale, among others.
“Today’s merger will shape Kenya’s politics. This merger to have one party brings together all those who believe in one Kenya; those who believe in one tribe, those united in religions. We are setting the stage for all those who believe in one nation, in one leadership and one country,” Duale told a jubilant crowd.
Speaker after speaker praised the merger of affiliates, tethering them to what they expect to be a victorious national outfit.
Alliance Party of Kenya leader Senator Kiraitu Murungi defended his party’s decision to dissolve, saying JP was the best option.
“It is the happiest day of my life since I have been a good driver of the bus. No one was hurt,” Murungi said during the NDC at the Bomas of Kenya.
On party nominations for 2017, he told delegates the process will be free and fair.
National and county elections boards will ensure the process is transparent, Murungi said.