Tuju Announces Way Forward After Ruto Allies Join UDA Party

Ruto and Tuju collage
Deputy President William Ruto (left) and Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju (right).
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Jubilee Party officials have reacted to the unveiling of the United Democracy Alliance (UDA) party by allies of Deputy President William Ruto on Friday, January 8, 2021.

Speaking to journalists on the phone after the launch, Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju stated that the matter would be taken over by the party’s disciplinary committee. 

“Such matters are up to the disciplinary committee to look at whether there is any flouting of the Political Parties Act and the party’s constitution and take the necessary action where they deem necessary,” he said. 

Bishop Margaret Wanjiru unveiled as the Nairobi by-election candidate by UDA
Bishop Margaret Wanjiru unveiled as the Nairobi by-election candidate by UDA
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On his part, Jubilee Chairman Nelson Dzuya stated that the party would analyse the utterances and monitor the behaviour of the Ruto allies who have affiliated themselves with UDA.  

“We are following up on the matter, we will take action against them where we find culpability,” he responded. 

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen stated on Friday that they were within the party’s policies since they were supporting an affiliate of the Jubilee Party. 

“It’s now official, the new baby in town is UDA formerly PDR which was born again. For now, UDA is a Jubilee Coalition member with the highest office holder in Parliament being the Senate Deputy Majority Leader (Fatuma Dullo). All Jubilee members are free by law to support their coalition partner,” he tweeted. 

Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua has also defended the move to support UDA whose slogan is Kazi ni Kazi. 

“The Party of Development and Reform is an affiliate of our party Jubilee. It has been renamed the United  Democratic Alliance (UDA),” he argued. 

The new ‘wheelbarrow’ party chairman Johnstone Muthama is a key ally and financier of Ruto’s presidential campaign. 

“For the chest-thumping officials in Jubilee Party who have been threatening us with expulsion for holding divergent views kindly be informed that we have somewhere, we can go. Let us practice democracy in our Party and allow people to hold divergent views.

“Stop threats, chest-thumping and raw bravado. You can easily be left with a shell-like it happened in KANU where everybody walked away when the Party became intolerant and dictatorial,” Rigathi stated. 

Ruto's affiliation with PDR dates back to 2017 when the party was hosted at DP's previous private office in Nairobi CBD.

President Kenyatta had acknowledged the party during the 2017 campaigns.

Kenyatta had visited Wajir and called on the residents to vote for Jubilee at the top leadership but embrace smaller parties at the grassroots.

“Up here support us, but we will not dictate who you vote for in the other positions. You can elect individuals in parties such as PDR which supports Jubilee,” said Uhuru at the time.

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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