Jubilee Party suffers blow as TNA MP declines to join, opts for ODM

NAROK: Blow to Jubilee in Narok as a TNA MP Moitalel Ole Kenta (Narok North) hints on not joining the newly-formed Jubilee Party and instead might join opposition's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

Mr Kenta who had earlier moved to court to oppose the dissolution of the TNA party at the height of the merger issue cited ideological differences with Jubilee arguing that the Jubilee administration failed to articulate the issues facing the Maasai Community.

"The party that sponsored me to parliament; TNA is being killed. It means by Saturday when the Jubilee Party will be launched, I will be party-less. From this point, I will have to consult my people on the next step and Jubilee is not automatic for me," Kenta told Standard.

Kenta who spoke in Narok town which is in his constituency said he did not attend the Jubilee delegates meeting held at Kasarani and will snub the Jubilee Party launch to 'set the record straight' as he did not want to be a party defector.

He added: "I am no attending the Jubilee Party launch because I do not want to confuse my people and be referred as a party defector when I announce my next step. They have said its either you ship in or ship out and I do not want to be a casualty”.

The legislator who also snubbed President Uhuru Kenyatta who is his party leader when he was at Rotian in his constituency attending Geothermal Development Company (GDC)MD Johnson Ole Nchoe last month hinted on joining ODM.

Mr Kenta who is a close ally of former ICT PS Joseph Musuni Tiampati who is also eyeing Narok Gubernatorial seat ruled out other parties such as independence party KANU and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto-led Chama Cha Mashinani (CCM) saying he had ideological differences with them.

"When TNA will be dissolved, my people will decide where I will be but KANU and Mashinani parties should be ruled out. As of ODM, yes. We need a party where as a leader from minority Maasai community, I will have an opportunity to even be President," explained Kenta.

The MP accused Jubilee of engaging in political patronage lashing on the notion that Jubilee Party will bolster DP William Ruto saying 2022 was still a long way to go.