Jubilee Party and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Set Rules to Deal with Violence and Violent Aspirants

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party and Raila Odinga’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) have both put in place tough measures to combat aspirants who engage in violence in their party primaries.

Speaking on Monday at Multimedia University, Raila mentioned that he was ready to invoke his powers as ODM party leader to punish aspirants who engage in violence during their campaigns.

The Opposition Leader further emphasised the party would not tolerate cases of men harassing and intimidating women opponents in the party primaries.

Raila instructed the head of the party’s National Elections Board Judith Pareno to take firm action on male aspirants using violence to intimidate their female counterparts in the race for the party's ticket.

"Our policy of zero tolerance for all forms of political violence, especially violence against women aspirants, candidates, and party activists must come alive in the nominations that begin next month," Raila indicated.

On the other hand, Uhuru’s Jubilee Party yesterday announced that it will not tolerate violence and any aspirants found engaging in the vice will be punished severely. The party has also involved Independent institutions in helping curb violence in the nominations.

“We have agreed with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and other law-enforcing agencies that those disqualified for violence will not be allowed to join other political parties," Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju stated.

Jubilee Party on Friday formed a dispute resolution committee that will ensure aspirants involved in indiscipline cases are blocked from vying.

The committee on Monday summoned politicians who had been involved in violence to appear before its disciplinary committee on Tuesday. Those summoned include Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko, Kirinyaga Governor Joseph Ndathi and former Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru.

In the past, activities of the two parties have been marred by a series of violence, with the most recent incidents rocking the Jubilee Party elections at the counties.  

  • . .