President Uhuru Kenyatta has assured that the Jubilee Party will not kill democracy.
Speaking in Rotian, Narok North, yesterday, during the homecoming of newly appointed Geothermal Development Corporation (GDC) CEO Johnson ole Nchoe, the President promised aspirants that the nominations will be free and fair.
“Merger of parties to form Jubilee will not destroy democracy. Instead of the country having over 500 parties whose agenda is to spread hate and tribalism we would rather have few parties that sell manifestos that can change this country,” he said.
Kenyatta urged aspirants to stick with Jubilee even if they lose nominations, saying he would offer them state jobs.
“Endeni nomination. Hata mkishindwa, serikali ni kubwa tutawapatia kazi. (Head to the nominations, even if you lose, we will fix you somewhere in government.”
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He urged leaders to concede defeat during party primaries and shun violence.
Eng Nchoe contested for Narok gubernatorial seat on an ODM ticket in the last elections but has since decamped to Jubilee.
The President toured the area after meeting local leaders led by area Senator Stephen ole Ntutu and veteran politician and former Heritage Minister William ole Ntimama in State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday.
During the ceremony attended by Maa leaders from Narok, Kajiado and Samburu counties, Kenyatta assured that he will only support Jubilee candidates duly nominated by the electorate.
“When it comes to nominations, it is the people themselves who will give us the candidates. For now, I will not support anyone. I will only support Jubilee candidate who has been elected by the people,” he said.
The President received leaders who defected from the opposition led by Mr Ntimama, MCAs, Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno (KNC) and Jubilee rebels Senator Ntutu, MPs Korei ole Lemein (Narok South) and Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok West).
The Head of State warned politicians against fanning hate speech and divisive politics to gain mileage arguing that Kenya is bigger that individual’s ambitions.
Opposing proposal
Cabinet Secretaries Charles Keter (Energy), Joseph Nkaissery (Interior), National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale, MP Kajiado West Moses ole Sekuda, Senator Peter Mositet (Kajiado) among other leaders were present.
Mr Duale lashed at CORD leaders for opposing the proposal to have IEBC conduct Jubilee primaries saying that they (CORD) are afraid this will deny them from benefiting from endorsement of unpopular politicians in their grassroots.
“IEBC will conduct our primaries, our friends in the opposition have been opposing the idea because nominations to them, have been business and they fear the use of IEBC will deny them ‘endorsement fees. The mandate of the people lies in the primaries,” he said.
He said the defection of ODM point-men like Ntimama and Maj Gen (Rtd) Nkaissery was an indication that the opposition has nothing good to offer.
Duale also opposed the proposal by the opposition to have political parties nominate IEBC Commissioners saying this will affect the independence of the commission.
Emurua Dikirr MP who has been a fierce critic of the Jubilee administration announced that he has officially joined the party and offered to be Uhuru’s ‘Chief campaigner’ come 2017.
“Sisi mheshimiwa rais tumekuwa tukikula serikali yako kwa macho lakini leo tuko ndani (Your excellency, we have been admiring your government from the sidelines but we are now inside),” said the legislator.
He urged the President and his deputy William Ruto to leave county politics to the people to decide.
Kenyatta also used the opportunity to reconcile warring Narok County leaders Senator Ntutu and Governor Samuel Ole Tunai and urged them to work together and unite the people.
Nkaissery apologised to the president on behalf of the community for the embarrassment caused by the decision by Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta (TNA) to skip the event saying it was disrespectful.
“It’s so unfortunate that the president can come to this area on his first visit and the area MP who is a Jubilee MP fails to turn up. I have intelligence that he is within Narok. This habit is disrespectful and against Maasai culture. I hereby apologise on behalf of the community,” he said.
