President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party, initially branded a shell by Deputy President William Ruto, is making a comeback. In fact, it says it is "roaring back".
It is becoming the formidable electoral machine it once was.
The President’s allies, who are aggressively revamping the party, believe Jubilee will make a strong showing at the polls and surprise its rivals.
The party appears to be attracting a significant number of aspirants. More than 5,300 aspirants are said to have applied for tickets for governor, senator, MP and MCA.
However, Ruto's Kenya Kwanza Alliance has lambasted Jubilee over what they have termed "unfair poaching" of United Democratic Alliance aspirants.
The DP's lieutenants, especially in Mt Kenya, have alleged Jubilee is wooing its aspirants, dangling massive campaign resources ahead of the election.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, a Ruto ally, told the Star the ruling party is wooing potential aspirants with counteroffers.
“We are aware of night meetings being held in a hotel near Kagio by Jubilee and government operatives. They are targeting UDA friends and independent candidates to vie under Jubilee," the governor said.
Although the governor did not provide evidence to back his claims, he alleged some aspirants are being given cash and promised Jubilee Party campaign materials.
Critically, the Jubilee revamp campaign appears top have rattled the DP's camp across the country as the ruling outfit makes a comeback.
The ruling party is even attracting more aspirants in regions such as Turkana, Kisii, Kajiado and Nairobi, handing Uhuru a silver lining ahead of the polls.
Initially, the party had been deserted by its key pillars from these regions as the DP's UDA wave swept Jubilee's traditional turf..
Some bigwigs seeking elective seats have now hedged their bets on Jubilee, lifting the lid on the party’s changing fortunes after years of internal squabbles and infighting.
The party nearly disintegrated at the height of an implosion triggered by President Kenyatta's political war against his deputy, which resulted in mass walkout.
“Jubilee is the party to watch and going by the overwhelming applications received so far, it is evident leaders are trooping back home,” Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni said.
Ruto’s camp fears a resurgent Jubilee Party would spoil its party, especially in Mt Kenya, and scuttle its plan for a clean sweep in the President’s turf.
The UDA outfit has been positioning itself as the party of choice for Mt Kenya, claiming Jubilee had collapsed and 'sold out' to ODM boss Raila Odinga.
However, an aggressive strategy by the President’s allies to rebrand and revamp the outfit could shore up Jubilee’s chances.
The President is said to have ordered the secretariat to splash cash in strategic branding, including change of party logo and slogan, in final divorce rites from Ruto.
The party has also rolled out a vigorous grassroots activation campaign, The Red Army, as it tries to reclaim its place as a force to be reckoned with
National Assembly Majority leader Amos Kimunya revealed Jubilee is determined to not only reclaim its shattered glory but also its authority.
“What Kenyans are witnessing is just but the beginning, once the party will make public its list of aspirants, our opponents will be shocked. Jubilee is roaring back,” Kimunya said in Nyandarua.
The Kipipiri MP, who is seeking to defend his seat on the Jubilee ticket is among the few Uhuru allies who have stuck with the party in Mt Kenya, despite the UDA wave.
Others are Kiambu Governor James Nyoro, while Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, who was elected as an independent, is also seeking re-election on the party's ticket.
Nyandarua Governor Francis Kimemia, Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, Kioni and Kieni MP Kanini Kega have stuck with Jubilee as well. Former Water CS Sicily Kariuki is also seeking to replace Governor Kememia on the Jubilee ticket.
The party has extended its deadline for receiving applications from aspirants to Thursday in response to the ‘overwhelming’ requests.
Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege is eyeing the Jubilee ticket to defend her seat.
In Nairobi, businessman Richard Ngatia is seeking the party's ticket to run for the governor, same as nominated MP Maina Kamanda for the Senate race.
“There are those who claimed Jubilee was dead. They should now be ashamed of trying to kill our party,” Kamanda said.
“There is every reason to say that Jubilee is the party to watch because many are coming back home,” he added.
Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba ditched The Service Party led by Mwangi Kiunjuri for Jubilee.
He had defected from UDA before joining the TSP party and now Jubilee.
In Turkana, former Petroleum CS John Munyes is leading at least three MPs who have declared they will seek Jubilee tickets. They are Joyce Emanikor (county MP), James Lomenen (Turkana South) and Lokiru Ali Mohammed (Turkana East).
In Kisii, Independent MP Zadock Ogutu (Bomachoge Borabu) and Nyaribari Chache MP Richard Tong’i are seeking to defend their seats on the President's party.
Former Transport CAS Chris Obure has also declared he will run for Kisii governor on the party.
Former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara, who defected from Ruto’s UDA, is also seeking to flay the party's flag for Kisii governor.
In Kajiado, former Governor David Nkedianye is back and wants to reclaim his seat through Jubilee..
For the first time, Jubilee is also set to enjoy influence in traditional opposition strongholds, courtesy of the Azimio La Umoja Movement.
Jubilee and ODM are working together to back Raila under the Azimio machine that has attracted regional bigwigs.
In Nyanza, former Rongo MP Dalmas Otieno has declared his intention to run for Migori governor on the party and was received at the Jubilee headquarters on March 10.
Jubilee director of elections Kanini Kega said the party has received overwhelming applications beyond its traditional strongholds.
“We are hoping to conclude the nominations by mid next month. We are happy that we have received candidates from all over the country,” he told the Star.
The Kieni MP said Jubilee will agree with other Azimio sister parties on how they will approach nominations in swing regions.
“We are also alive to the fact are also in partnership with other political parties. We are going to agree on how to approach the nominations in particular areas,” he said.
Ruto’s camp fears a strong Jubilee would jolt its fortunes especially given the party’s working pact with Raila’s Azimio.
Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau claimed Jubilee has been holding night meetings and reaching out to its former members.
She said it fears UDA might scoop more seats in the Mt Kenya region.
“I know so many aspirants who were promised campaign support and cash by the Jubilee Party. To date, they haven’t received and that is why they are rejoining our party, “she said.
There was no evidence, however, to back up her claims.
But Jubilee nominated Senator Isaac Ngugi said the party has taken over its position across the country.
Ngugi accused the UDA of dwelling and thriving on "propaganda aimed to whip up public sympathy".
(Edited by V. Graham)
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