Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi has confessed that the decision by President Uhuru Kenyatta to have small parties dissolve and form one strong outfit – the Jubilee Party – was ill-advised and untimely.
Kiraitu, who co-chaired the Jubilee steering committee that oversaw the merger process together with former Minister Noah Wekesa, now says the idea behind the merger has flopped.
“The idea was and remains noble - to unite Kenyans into one political vehicle. But Kenyans are not ready for such a big party,” Kiraitu said in an interview with The Standard.
“We wanted to have one huge party that would bring Kenyans together; the President and deputy were committed because they felt that, that was the way to bring Kenyans together. Notably, Kenyans are not ready for such an eventuality,” said Kiraitu.
According to the Meru Senator, the theoretical part of the idea worked out well but the practical bit has refused to hold.
“Unlike what we anticipated, the reality seems to be different because Kenyans value their small parties,” he said.
Dr Wekesa also admits that the idea has not worked out as was expected.
Former Tip Tip Party Leader Kalembe Ndile said the exercise did not add value, and that “it was a mistake to fold the small parties”.
The Jubilee Party was unveiled at a colourful and pompous event held at Kasarani stadium last year in September after 11 parties dissolved to form the grand JP.
Some of the parties that dissolved include the Uhuru's The National Alliance (TNA), Ruto’s United Republican Party (URP) Kiraitu’s Alliance Party of Kenya (APK), United Democratic Forum (UDF), National Rainbow Coalition (Narc), Ford People, the Republican Congress Party (RC), Tip Tip, the United Party of Kenya (UPK), the Grand National Unity (GNU) and Party of National Unity (PNU).
The revelations come as the Jubilee Party continues to suffer defections to parties which claim to be allied to President Kenyatta, with other politicians moving to the opposition.
