JAP to hold elections for new officials at grassroots

Kenya: The Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) has moved to quell disquiet over how party affairs at the grassroots will be run, saying new officials will be elected for the task.

JAP said neither officials of President Uhuru Kenyatta's TNA nor Deputy President William Ruto's URP would automatically transit to JAP as Meru County, which is expected to be one of the new party's bedrocks, prepares to welcome the President today.

The party said it would appoint co-ordinators in all the counties to run its affairs on an interim basis before new officials were elected.

JAP said it would publish the names of the co-ordinators who would convene meetings with both elected and aspiring politicians to deliberate over elections in the constituencies and counties.

The co-ordinators will be directed by the national secretariat on steering grassroots affairs and eventually oversee the party's elections to pick new officials.

"We will appoint the co-ordinators and the process will then cascade down to constituencies and wards. This process will be done with leaders so that no one comes to claim they are the only officials," the party's vice chairman, David Murathe, said.

Discussions about the new party and its operations could find a way into some of President Kenyatta's engagements. The Head of State will this morning start his visit in Imenti South sub-county where he will open the newly upgraded Meru-Marimba-Mitunguu Road.

Undermine leaders

Thereafter, the President will proceed to Nkubu town to address a roadside meeting. He is expected to conclude his first day of the visit in Buuri sub-county where he will issue title deeds and address residents in Kiirwa town before heading for Timau.

JAP said it eventually wants an all-inclusive environment. "This will ensure that sitting MPs and MCAs do not lock out aspirants, and aspirants do not undermine serving leaders," said Mr Murathe at a press conference at the party headquarters in Nairobi yesterday.

Party Secretary General Veronica Maina warned TNA and URP officials who have branded their offices in JAP colours and installed themselves as interim officials that the move was illegal.

"JAP is not a new party becuase it was registered formally as the Conservative Party and those from TNA, URP or any other affiliate of the Jubilee alliance cannot cross over and belong to two parties at the same time," Ms Maina said.

So far, the party says about 25 aspirants have expressed interest in succeeding the late Kabete MP George Muchai who was murdered three weeks ago. There are reports some TNA officials in Kabete are also planning to conduct independent primaries, allegations the party refuted.

"TNA and URP will not be conducting separate nominations. Only JAP will conduct joint nominations and issue a single certificate. Applicants should collect application forms from this office," Murathe said. IEBC has given parties until March 19 to conclude their primaries.

During the briefing, Murathe criticised CORD co-principal Kalonzo Musyoka, who claimed Jubilee was planning to rig next month's Kajiado Central by-election.

"I want to request the distinguished former Vice President that if he has sensed defeat, he should prepare to concede honourably," he said.