{UAH} Allan/Frank/Edmund/Gook/Pojim/WBK: Crisis in Jubilee Party as factions pull apart - Daily Nation

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Crisis in Jubilee as factions fight over leadership, 2022 polls

By NATION TEAM

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IN SUMMARY

• Mr Murathe's resignation in January gave Mr Ruto a vice-like grip on the ruling party, with some of his supporters bragging that he now rules the roost.
• On Thursday, Mr Tuju laughed off claims that the party cannot hold elections for fear of an imminent takeover by the Deputy President.

The Jubilee Party is facing a crisis as emerging camps fight for its soul in anticipation of the 2022 elections.

With the party's core support pulling in different directions, it is a matter of time before the factions crystallise.

Things came to a head when former vice chairperson David Murathe unleashed a withering broadside on deputy President William Ruto, saying he is unfit to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Days and months down the line, politicians and commentators agree the party is facing serious turbulence.

The party has failed to hold key meetings and elections as a result of the succession politics and uncertainty over the outcome of the handshake with Opposition leader Raila Odinga.

CONTINGENCY

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The two camps, one allied to President Kenyatta and the other supporting his deputy, have been in a supremacy contest over control of the party and various national issues.

Mr Murathe's resignation in January gave Mr Ruto a vice-like grip on the ruling party, with some of his supporters bragging that he now rules the roost.

Mr Ruto's handlers confided to the Nation that there were plans of reviving URP or forming another party to be used as the DP's election vehicle in 2022. 

There has been political posturing, with some youths donning T-shirts with URP colours during Mr Ruto's events in Kiambu and Nakuru to test the waters on the revival of the party in case he leaves Jubilee.

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However, in a recent television interview, Mr Ruto ruled out quitting the party.

TOUR DEFERRED

While the Jubilee Party team allied to President Kenyatta backed out of the recent Embakasi South and Ugenya by-elections following a deal with ODM, Mr Ruto and his brigade rallied behind the Wiper candidate while his hand was also seen in the Orange party's defeat in Siaya.

A tour of Murang'a County by President Uhuru and Mr Odinga this month has been pushed to June.

While the official reason has not been given, local politicians say the postponement is to allow the political temperatures to cool.

The differences were also seen on Tuesday when Secretary-General Raphael Tuju announced that ODM had pulled out of the Wajir West by-electionfollowing consultations between the parties' bosses: Mr Ruto had accompanied the former ODM candidate (Mohamed Yusuf Elmi) as he announced to the media that he had pulled out of the race following an agreement with elders, and that he would back the Jubilee candidate (Mohamed Kolosh).

Mr Tuju, at a press conference in January, following Mr Murathe's resignation, announced the party would open an academy and branches in the 47 counties.

ELECTIONS

He also announced that the leadership would plan for a constructive engagement with its legislators.

But to date, the party is yet to hold a parliamentary group (PG) meeting, launch the opening of branch offices and conduct its elections.

On Thursday, Mr Tuju laughed off claims that the party cannot hold elections for fear of an imminent takeover by the Deputy President.

He explained that the current leadership has a constitutional mandate to carry the party to March 2020, in an interim capacity, and no elections can be held unless the National Delegates Conference comes up with another decision.

Mr Tuju said differences in opinion are normal and healthy in a democratic party, saying not everyone can read from the same script all the time.

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