Deputy President William Ruto has taken charge of the Jubilee Party primaries, following the first botched process that led to chaotic scenes in the party’s strongholds.
He will coordinate the repeat process.
President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday apologised to supporters for the party’s underpreparation, which he blamed for the Friday problems.
The DP has been holed up at the
Jubilee headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi, to ensure the party gets it right this time round.
“We have brought on board all stakeholders to ensure the nominations remain free and fair. May the best candidates carry the day,” JP vice chairperson David Murathe said yesterday.
The party will submit the list of its nominees to the IEBC on Wednesday.
The primaries take place today, tomorrow and on Wednesday.
JP has resolved to meet the April 25 deadline set by the electoral agency.
Murathe dismissed reports some officials in the executive have preferred candidates, terming them fake.
“The DP is a national leader. He is focused on national politics and wants to see all Kenyans have a better life. He is ready to work with everyone elected by wananchi,” he added.
JP officials said they have put in place adequate measures for a successful repeat poll.
“All the aspirants turned down consensus and we are happy because they will all equally face off at the ballot,” Murathe added.
Secretary general Raphael Tuju said, “Where the ballot papers were breached, we have had to do a total reprint.”
The party disciplinary committee will deal with aspirants who breach the party’s code of conduct by involving in chaos, vote rigging or sabotaging the process.
“I was just talking to our logistics person and the most difficult was Nairobi. That’s why we wanted to move it to Tuesday,” Tuju said.
“But because it’s clashing with ODM primaries and they are using the same schools as polling centres we decided to move it to Wednesday.”
Murathe said ballot papers were printed locally using different printers in two days.
It was meant to ensure the ruling party meets the IEBC timelines, he said, adding that they want the process to be trustworthy.
“We have printed more than six million ballot papers. To ensure fast movement of the ballot papers and boxes, we have hired a truck for each constituency,” Murathe said.
“All aspirants must abide by our code and anyone found guilty will not be given the ticket and will instead face the full force of the law.”
Tuju said, “A couple of people are facing the disciplinary committee and will likely be disqualified.”
JP has hired ballot boxes from the IEBC.