Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria is among leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto who want elections held to find new officials for Jubilee Party.
Amid speculation fuelled by various leaders' remarks that a section of the Jubilee Party was intent on blocking Ruto's 2022 bid to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kuria further called for active politicians tobe given a chance to run the party affairs.
The calls appear targeted towards controversial Vice-Chair David Murathe and Secretary General Raphael Tuju, both of whom are not active politicians but have the most sway within Jubilee.
"Yet we are the only major political party with no space for politicians. John Mbadi (ODM), Prof Kivutha Kibwana (Wiper) , Bonny Khalwale and Chris Wamalwa (Ford Kenya) are all party chairmen and active politicians.
"Time has come for Jubilee Party to open up space for political participation. Party elections are long overdue," Kuria wrote.
[caption caption="Jubilee Vice-Chair David Murathe"]
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The current Jubilee officials were handpicked by President Kenyatta and DP Ruto to serve on an interim basis after the merger of various parties including TNA and URP in 2016.
Grassroots elections were to be held 90 days after the General election but this never took place as expected.
Other than Tuju and Murathe, other officials selected were Chairman Nelson Dzuya, Deputy Secretaries General Caleb Kositany and Fatuma Mohamoud, Alfred Korir (Treasurer) and Abdul Hajji (Organising Secretary).
The calls for party elections also received support from Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot and Parliament Majority leader Aden Duale, both allies of the Deputy President.
“The Jubilee Party should hold elections as soon as possible. We owe it to our party members,” stated Cheruiyot.
Garissa Township MP Aden Duale noted: “The President’s agenda is to leave the Jubilee Party in the league of South Africa’s ANC or like other major parties in the US and UK. It is through elections that the party builds its grassroots support by having strong youth and women leagues.”
[caption caption="Jubilee Secretary-General Raphael Tuju"]
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