Deputy President William Ruto and de-whipped Jubilee Party legislators adopted the phrase 'Sote Pamoja' after a lunch meeting on Thursday, June 18.
Ruto held the meeting with lawmakers who were casualties of a purge in Jubilee that targeted his allies in key leadership positions in Parliament.
Dennis Itumbi, associated with the DP's camp, had shared images of the logo of a supposed break-away faction known as Jubilee Asili, further claiming that Ruto's meeting with the MPs was held at the 'Jubilee Asili Centre'.
In an announcement after the meeting, Ruto capitalized on the phrase 'Sote Pamoja' as he revealed details of his discussion with the legislators. The phrase was quickly picked up by Ruto's allies including Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika and Kandara MP Alice Wahome who shared their thoughts after the meeting.
"Had lunch with Jubilee MPs who were recently assigned other responsibilities in the party. Thanked them for exemplary service to the party and the nation.
"I implored them to continue focusing on Jubilee's people-centered transformational agenda now and in the future. SOTE PAMOJA," he tweeted.
While Ruto made no reference to the alleged break-away outfit, the similarity between Sote Pamoja and Jubilee's slogan Tuko Pamoja was apparent.
"The Deputy President thanked the team for exemplary service to the party and the nation and implored that the team continues focusing on Jubilee's people-centered transformational agenda now and in the coming future. SOTE PAMOJA," wrote Wahome.
"Thank You William Ruto for hosting us! We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided. J.K. Rowling. SOTE PAMOJA," wrote Kihika who quoted the popular author behind the Harry Potter franchise.
Ruto's supporters were not left out, with many sharing the phrase and pledging allegiance to Jubilee Asili online.
Parallels can be drawn between the dramatic events in Jubilee and the August 1992 split of the Forum for Restoration of Democracy (FORD) into Ford Kenya and Ford Asili.
FORD had initially been an umbrella group bringing together opposition leaders who agitated for the abolition of the one-party state in Kenya.
After Section 2A was repealed paving way for multi-party elections, however, Kenneth Matiba became the Presidential Candidate for Ford Asili with Jaramogi Oginga Odinga leading Ford Kenya.
The election marred by chaos saw incumbent Daniel Arap Moi of the Kenya African National Union (KANU) retain his seat ahead of Matiba and Oginga who came second and third respectively.
It remains to be seen what the implications of the emergence of a break-away outfit within the ruling party in Kenya will mean for Jubilee's future.
