Jubilee Alliance Party affiliates are in preparation mood to form the Grand Merger which will see TNA, URP, and eleven other parties to form the Jubilee Party, which will be Uhuru Kenyatta’s presidential ticket to the 2017 general elections. While attending an interview with the press, majority leader Aden Duale dismissed claims that state resources alleged to be around Ksh 300 million will be used for the Grand Merger which is expected to be held at Kasarani on Saturday 10th saying that the Jubilee party has a good support base from the business community, hence the ready financial support.
He noted that parties are always given delegate slots based on their strength but that they are going to choose 20 delegates from each county and the rest will come from the larger political community assuring that the process will be free and fair.
He rubbished sentiments by a section of leaders that the joint decision by Jubilee and CORD is against an individual’s political rights saying that it just ensured that people stayed loyal to their parties noting that if an individual was not sure on which party to join they could always sell their ideas as an independent candidate.
He further lauded the move to let IEBC conduct the nominations stating that it would be a fair process.
The majority leader addressed claims by the Opposition leader Raila Odinga that Jubilee party is buying leaders to weaken the opposition terming it as an insult. He added that Raila Odinga is panicking that he will lose grip of his strongholds which are Coast, Western and Kisii as Jubilee is offering an alternative in terms of development and unity.
He also advised Raila to embrace dynamic shifts within his party. Duale stated that the reason behind the merger is advocating for national unity, bringing to an end ethnic mobilization. He disclosed that On Friday the parties are supposed to close shop then Saturday will mark the debut of the convention where the Deputy President will be the keynote speaker and later on Saturday the culmination of the event where the president will make an address and also Jubilee leadership will be unveiled on an interim basis.