Kenyans have been urged to rise above tribal politics and unite ahead of the next year’s general election.
Speaking to the press in Garissa town on Monday, National Assembly majority leader Aden Duale said ethnicity only divides Kenyans and propels tribal kings to top leadership positions.
Duale asked the pastoralist communities to join the Jubilee Party so their common problems will be addressed.
He said Jubilee’s top agenda is to unite Kenyans irrespective of tribe or religion. “We want to see a country where all children have equal opportunities. That is why we are behind President Uhuru Kenyatta in his bid to make this dream come true,” Duale said. He said Jubilee would like to leave a legacy, in which the country will have at least two parties that Kenyans can identify with. “All these tribal parties formed for the sake of propelling tribal leaders into office must come to an end. It’s time Kenyans say no to tribal parties and their leaders,” Duale said.
The Garissa Township MP also urged the opposition to form one party. “The opposition’s confusion and its failure to come up with a presidential candidate is making it much easier for Jubilee to win,” he said.
President Kenyatta has taken charge of the Jubilee merger and will announce the date most affiliates parties will unite as the Jubilee Party.
Uhuru is to stamp his authority on the process, aimed to quell infighting over powerful interim positions in the new party. The preferred tactic is inducement but observers say a shotgun marriage is not out of the question. The party will be the vehicle of Uhuru’s reelection campaign next year and for Deputy President William Ruto’s bid in 2022.