Jubilee parties merger awaits Uhuru blessing

Jubilee Alliance Party Co-Chairman Noah Wekesa flanked by Deputy speaker in the Joyce Laboso and other party officials. They announced that they are waiting for a final nod from President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto before the merger can take effect. (PHOTO: WILLIS AWANDU/ STANDARD)

A nod from President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto is all that remains for Jubilee affiliate parties to merge.

Members of the committee steering the merger yesterday said they had ironed out most of the outstanding issues, including nomination rules.

They said these will be effected once President Uhuru and Mr Ruto give a date for a National Delegates conference (NDC) where the Jubilee Alliance Party will be endorsed.

"We are ready to ask our principals to give us a date for the NDC to be followed by the national governing council meeting and the baby will be born that day," said steering committee co-chair Noah Wekesa.

His co-chair, Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, said passage of the Political Parties Bill paved the way for the merger. The bill had, among other provisions, given a legal platform for the merger to take place.

"We are happy to see all the legal obstacles behind us. We want to thank the National Assembly and the Senate for passing the Bill that cleared the way for merger of the parties," he said.

Over 30 MPs met Karen Training Center yesterday to sort out nomination rules which had made some parties to develop cold feet after fears nomination may be tilted to the disadvantage of popular candidates.

A special steering committee chaired by The National Alliance (TNA) chairman Onyango Oloo was formed to consider the legal hurdles that may arise from the merger.

Parties that have endorsed the proposed merger other than TNA are United Republican Party (URP), Alliance Party of Kenya, United Democratic Front, Ford-People, New Ford Kenya, Grand National Unity and the Republican Party.