Democratic Party offers President Uhuru Kenyatta ticket for 2017 polls

Democratic Party has started a campaign to woo politicians in the Mt Kenya region to vie on its ticket in next year's polls.

The party's National Executive Committee has also invited President Uhuru Kenyatta for his 2017 re-election bid on the party ticket, saying the party has "a rich history and well entrenched roots".

The party's National Chairman Esau Kioni, Secretary General Jacob Haji and Organising Secretary Njagi Kumantha said the party will not merge with any other party.

From left: Democratic Party NEC members secretary general Jacob Haji, national chairman Esau Kioni, and organising secretary Dr Njagi Kumantha and party officials speak to the press after a meeting at Thuci Lodge in Embu County on April 23, 2016. (PHOTO: JOSEPH MUCHIRI/ STANDARD)

Speaking when they met officials and aspirants eyeing the party ticket from Embu and Tharaka-Nithi counties in Embu's Thuci Lodge, Mr Kioni said the party will field candidates for all positions in the country except for the presidency since they would support the incumbent.

"We will not field a candidate for the presidency but we are calling on President Kenyatta to vie on a DP ticket. He is free to vie in any party contrary to claims by politicians that he will use Jubilee Party. DP understands the route to State House better having been at it before and we are confident of our candidate winning," Kioni said.

The chairman reiterated that the Constitution allows for multiparty democracy hence the party will resist attempts to dissolve or get swallowed by another party. He said merging of parties was akin to regressing to the days of one-party system that Kenyans fought against.

Mr Haji said the party was ready to work with other political parties to allow Kenyans exercise their democratic rights.

They urged the electorate to vote in leaders of their choice.

"For the country to stand firm, we must allow free and fair competition in elections. We will respect other parties and their views and we expect nothing less from them. We are a disciplined party," he said.

The party called for peaceful polls and the unity of all Kenyans.

During the meeting, former Tharaka MP Francis Kagwima, and a Dr Kumantha were presented as aspirants seeking to vie for Tharaka-Nithi and Embu gubernatorial seats respectively on the party's ticket in 2017 General Election.