The Jubilee Party National Management Committee and Parliamentary leadership have approved a pre-election coalition agreement with Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.
Through a statement released by Jubilee Secretary General, Raphael Tuju, on Tuesday, August 17, the party announced that it has formally started engaging with ODM Party in drawing a framework agreement on a pre-election coalition agreement.
"This development springs from an already existing good collaboration between the two parties in parliament on matters of National Interest. The two-party leaders, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Rt. Hon Raila Odinga have also cultivated a working relationship for a good of the country in an act of statesmanship that won praise internationally," Jubilee Party stated.
Jubilee noted that ODM has remained an ally of the party supporting them in both the Senate and the National Assembly in the passing of crucial Bills.
"It is noteworthy that in the last four years, while ODM has carried its mandate as official party both in the senate and the National Assembly, the Party has remained a reliable ally of Jubilee Party in the passage of all critical bills that are important for the good governance of our country," Jubilee stated.
Jubilee Party has however written a formal letter to KANU seeking their constructive engagement regarding the latest decision to work with ODM.
"With this decision, the Jubilee Party will be formally writing to its Coalition partner KANU as is required by our Coalition agreement and etiquette about this development and seek their constructive engagement on the same," Jubilee stated.
The pre-election agreement between the two parties comes even as the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) which includes Gideon Moi of KANU, Kalonzo Musyoka of Wiper, Musalia Mudavadi of ANC, and Moses Wetangula of Ford Kenya reportedly court the ODM leader in a bid to strengthen their 2022 campaigns.
The latest move comes as OKA continues to clash on whether to support Raila in the upcoming general election. ANC leaders are wary of Mudavadi’s ambition plummeting as either Moi or Kalonzo would be chosen as Raila’s deputy in case OKA and ODM form an alliance.
Musyoka is in a pole position to be Raila’s running mate for the third time, after supporting him in 2013 and 2017, owing to regional balance a move that will derail Mudavadi's ambition for the top seat.
"The meeting is a holistic approach," Mudavadi, on Monday, August 16, started avoiding addressing the issue prior to OKA retreat in Naivasha and argued that the meeting would discuss the alliance's constitution, logo, and manifesto.
The leaders are expected to issue a statement on Tuesday, August 17, the alliance way forward.
