President Uhuru Kenyatta's allies have fallen out over the ongoing coalition talks between Jubilee and Raila Odinga's ODM.
Jubilee Vice-Chairman David Murathe and Secretary-General Raphael Tuju were adamant that Uhuru sanctioned the deal between the two parties who are keen on formalizing the March 2018 handshake.
Tuju and Murathe represent Jubilee while ODM Chairman John Mbadi and Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna act for ODM in a committee formed to discuss the legalities of the coalition.
However, Tuju's deputy, Joshua Kutuny has publicly denounced the deal, alleging that his bosses went behind Uhuru back to secretly broker the deal. Jubilee's Deputy Secretary-General added that Uhuru was reportedly irked by the move as he was resolved to negotiate with the National Super Alliance (NASA) rather than ODM solely.
NASA is a coalition formed by ODM, ANC under Musalia Mudavadi, Wiper led by Kalonzo Musyoka and Moses Wetangula's Ford-Kenya. The last three broke away from the coalition and formed the One Kenya Alliance along with KANU's Gideon Moi.
They accused Raila of betraying and sideling them from crucial talks and deals prior to the March 2018 handshake. One Kenya Alliance is also seeking President Uhuru Kenyatta's endorsement in the 2022 succession race.
"We are not in discussions with ODM. Jubilee leaders and the National Delegates Convention have not allowed such talks. It is premature for anybody to think we are in discussion.
"No team was formed to lead the talks. The names were picked without the party's approval. The President was clear that he will have a sit down with NASA," Kutuny told the Nation.
Kimunya added that the talks between Tuju, Murathe, Mbadi and Sifuna were meant to lay down strategies for a coalition pact between several parties and not ODM alone.
ODM declined to be roped in the Jubilee affairs but Secretary-General Sifuna argued that the talks were beyond the committee as they all had the blessings of Uhuru and Raila and the discussions would proceed unopposed.
Raila, on June 26, stated that his party was assembling a team and machinery that would be unfazed prior to the 2022 General Elections.
"We are assembling a heavy [political] machine. They (opponents) don’t know what is in store. There’s a Tsunami coming. I’m urging you [my supporters] to trust me, we know where we are going. Bottom-up economics and wheelbarrow tactics should be taken to the dustbin," he trolled Deputy President William Ruto's philosophy.
In a past interview, the DP claimed that the only formidable opposition he faced in 2022 would be Raila Odinga. The two leaders are pushing to form the strongest coalitions and are in talks with politicians believed to be 2022 power brokers.
