Uhuru Men Decline UDA's Request for Peace Talks

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) with his successor William Ruto (right) at a past church function in Nairobi.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (left) with his successor William Ruto (right) at a past church function in Nairobi.
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President Uhuru Kenyatta's allies have ruled out the United Democratic Alliance (UDA's) request to hold peace talks after Jubilee moved to sever their coalition ties

UDA's Secretary-General, Veronica Maina, had urged the registrar of political parties to grant more time for the two parties to proceed with arbitration to solve their differences. 

On Tuesday, May 4, Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe detailed the National Management Committee (NMC) decision on cutting links with UDA. NMC met for two consecutive days, May 3 and May 4, to chart the way forward for Jubilee. 

According to Murathe, NMC resolved to kick out UDA but would also refrain from political battles with their sister party. 

Senators Susan Kihika and Kipchumba Murkomen at the unveiling of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party office
Senators Susan Kihika and Kipchumba Murkomen at the unveiling of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party office
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He argued that UDA was a distractor towards the 2022 General Elections and their tactics were aligned towards distorting Jubilee's agenda. 

"UDA is no longer a coalition partner. There is no need for more conversations on that issue. We won't engage in battles with UDA as long as they don't flout the Jubilee code of conduct through insubordination and abusing leadership. 

"It's up to UDA to decide whether they want to continue with their party, which may force us all to proceed to by-elections. But remember, this is unnecessary. Let us both focus on growing our parties," Murathe declared. 

The decision by Jubilee was based on the claim that UDA officials, who were part of the joint committee that formed the Jubilee coalition agreement, had changed when UDA was renamed from the Party of Development and Reforms (PDR).

Murathe was adamant that Jubilee would expel all UDA aligned politicians in case they ceased to remit their monthly subscription. Jubilee MPs pay Ksh20,000 per month channelled towards managing the party. 

Deputy President William Ruto's allies threatened to cut down the subscription fees between Ksh50 and Ksh10,000. The remainder of the fee was to be contributed towards running UDA. 

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Deputy President William Ruto (centre) with his allies at a rally in Kiambu County on Friday, February 12, 2021
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