New roadmap reveals date for winding up TNA, URP

Nyeri Jubilee Alliance Party interim chairman Thuo Mathenge inspects the change of a TNA billboard to one for the new party. [PHOTO: JOHN GATHUA/ STANDARD]

Jubilee affiliate parties TNA and URP may be no more by December, if a dissolution roadmap proposed under the Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) framework is upheld. JAP Vice-Chair David Murathe told The Standard On Sunday The National Alliance Party and United Republican Party should ideally die before the 2017 election.

Murathe, a long time ally of President Uhuru Kenyatta, however said the road to dissolution does not herald any political risks to elected party members.

He said JAP’s legal minds had done their homework, and MPs, governors, members of county assemblies and senators would not lose their elective seats on account of the process. There have been concerns over this, based on the fact that many 2013 poll losers have embraced the re-organisation in the ruling coalition with gusto.

“By December, if our affiliates agree, we will be merging all these parties under JAP so that by 2016, we will be conducting our internal elections to position the party for 2017. We want to put our house in order at the earliest possible opportunity,” Murathe said in an interview.

According to the proposed roadmap, a meeting of party principals is proposed for the next fortnight. In the meeting, the party leaders will be engaged on the necessity and modalities of the merger, as well as apprised on issues that require their attention.

Another meeting will then be scheduled with the two main principals, Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto, where a clearer and more binding roadmap will be agreed on and rolled out.

TNA secretary-general Onyango Oloo said, in principle, his party supports an immediate merger to enable JAP consolidate itself in readiness for the 2017 General Election.

“The President and his deputy are clear that they stand for a strong visionary party that surpasses tribal inclinations and regional barriers. You will appreciate that such a process and merger must be undertaken after a thorough and detailed consultation among parties,” Oloo said.

He said from the scheme of things, the merger must await the by-elections in Kajiado Central and Kabete constituencies. This plus the fact that individual parties must work within their timetables, Oloo said, made it difficult to estimate when the process would be complete, but hoped it would happen “as soon as possible”.

Similar sentiments were echoed by URP secretary-general Fred Muteti, who said the party, in principle, supported an early merger.

URP Youth League national chairman Gideon Keter, however, said JAP’s performance in the Kajiado Central by-election would largely determine the pace of the merger.

“If JAP wins, the overwhelming feeling will be that the party is acceptable, and things will roll out faster,” said Keter.

URP youth are slated to meet at the party’s Nairobi headquarters on February 28, to discuss JAP’s formation.

Former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru said so far, those TNA members were happy with the ongoing merger talks.

“We are aware of the party and URP merger talks, which are progressing well. For us in TNA, if our party leader (Kenyatta ) decides it’s time to cross over, we will do so immediately. We are ready,” Wanjiru said.

According to Murathe, JAP will avoid a clash between Jubilee alliance-elected leaders and their competitors in the 2013 General Election by proposing to have only people who are not interested in running in 2017 serve as interim branch officials.

He sounded helpless over the current situation, where 2013 poll losers are opening and branding offices while positioning themselves as JAP officials.

Resisting merger

“We have not rolled out our party structures or even conducted recruitment. Anybody opening offices out there is operating under their own informal arrangements. You will appreciate that we may not stop them from popularising or giving momentum to our new party,” he said.

Murathe said the only legitimate JAP structures at the moment were the 24 offices previously registered under the Conservative Party, JAP’s previous name. He, however, said once the merger took effect, JAP would inherit the entire infrastructure of TNA, URP and other Jubilee Alliance-affiliated parties.

He admitted that there was some measure of “over-enthusiasm” - something he attributed to the party’s philosophy - but added that that was good for the new party.

“It’s a game changer...we have no doubt about that. We hope the other side is learning from us,” said Murathe.

But not everyone is elated by the idea of JAP. Although Alliance Party of Kenya’s leader Kiraitu Murungi has agreed to the merger, Meru Governor Peter Munya is opposed to it.

“What is in it for us? Nothing! I am convinced that the long-term interests of our people are best secured when we remain distinct. The moment you get swallowed, your interests as a group are equally swallowed,” Munya told The Standard On Sunday.

He vowed to remain in APK, even if everyone else leaves for JAP: “It is not a question of whether or not the ground will shift. It is a question of upholding the vision I have and leaving it to the people to decide. So far, I am convinced they are with me on this one.”

Murathe said JAP was working to win over those resisting the merger.

Senate Majority leader Kithure Kindiki (URP), and his National Assembly counterpart, Aden Duale, said the merger must take place soon, preferably by the end of the year.

“We do not want to find ourselves in a situation like that of PNU in 2007. You cannot form a party three months to an election and have smooth sailing. JAP must be ready early enough,” Kindiki said.

He, however, acknowledged that the dissolution of constituent parties would have to be processed through the organs of the various parties that will go under.