President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party had started witnessing cracks, which seems to have been sealed at the moment. The wrangles that started with its former vice chair David Murathe declaring war against DP William Ruto over his presidential bid. However, there is some calmness in the Party since Murathe’s resignation. Then what is Uhuru doing to bring calmness in the party?
Well, first, the Party will not present a memorandum to the Building Bridges team.
The party has instead asked its members to individually share their opinions with the Wajir Senator Yusuf Haji-led committee.
The feeling in the party, insiders say, is that presenting a memorandum would have appeared as dictating the Building Bridges task force.
Jubilee also feels that had it presented the memorandum, the move might widen the cracks in the party.
Whereas President Uhuru Kenyatta had intimated that a referendum will be inevitable, Deputy President William Ruto’s allies have opposed the proposal.
The President, during Jamhuri Day celebrations last year, said the country must rethink its current executive structure ‘where the winner takes it all’.
There was also a concern that the party’s presentation would be misconstrued as the government’s position on the proposed changes, a source told the Star yesterday.
While a number of party members have agreed with the decision, others felt it would have been better if the party presented a position to the Building Bridges team.
North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko told the Star on the phone that it was wrong for the party to take such a decision without members’ input.
He said doing away with such consultations does not give justice to the issues that the Building Bridges committee is discussing with Kenyans.
The Bridges team was formed after the March 9, 2018, handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Nasa leader Raila Odinga.
The 14-member committee has been collecting views from Kenyans on how to unite the country.
The issues revolve around ethnic antagonism, lack of national ethos, inclusivity, devolution, divisive elections, security, corruption, shared prosperity, and responsibility.