{UAH} Pojim/WBK: Standard Digital News - Kenya : Blow to URP as key party officials defect to KANU, say they are not ready to be swallowed by JAP
|
9:59 AM |
No comments |
Standard Digital News - Kenya : Blow to URP as key party officials defect to KANU, say they are not ready to be swallowed by JAP
Deputy President William Ruto's United Republic Party (URP) suffered a major blow when it lost key party officials and 300 supporters to independence party, KANU.
Former Kitale deputy mayor Pius Mzee Arap Kauka led the officials in ditching URP claiming the Deputy President had become a letdown to URP supporters in Rift Valley region.
The defectors argued that the DP had not assured URP supporters in the region of their political destiny after the party merged with TNA and paved way for the formation of Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP).
The officials, who included Yusuf Chepkole and Stephen Kiboi, accused Ruto of making personal decisions without consulting party supporters in the region.
"The DP made personal decision to kill URP and joined JAP. We are not ready to be swallowed. We have resolved to join KANU because we were not consulted when JAP was formed,' said the officials, in a signed statement.
Speaking in Kitale, the defectors said it is in bad faith for leaders such as the URP leaders to make personal resolutions without involving party supporters.
"Even after joining JAP, the deputy president has not assured us of our political destiny. URP joining JAP is an individual decision and such move is dictatorial," they charged.
They said the DP should have convened rallies in the region and inform party supporters why they joined JAP.
The defectors were received by KANU's Saboti sub-branch vice chairman Fred Murunga and immediately installed Kauka as the interim county chair.
The group further defended Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto over accusations disrespecting deputy president arguing that Ruto has a democratic right to express his opinion.
At the same time, the group welcomed Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and party's secretary general Nick Salat, to tour the county and strengthen the party.
0 comments:
Post a Comment