The debate surrounding the merger of Jubilee coalition affiliate parties has been criticised by a top United Republican Party (URP) official from Nyamira County.
Speaking on Monday evening when he hosted a number of youths affiliated to the governing coalition, Nyamira County Assembly deputy minority leader, Ken Atuti urged the Deputy President William Ruto to suspend plans to merge.
He said the coalition was likely to lose support from the region if the deputy president failed to listen to "the voice of the majority".
“It’s not I alone who wants to have a solid URP. We are very many but most people have feared to raise the issue. Disbanding the party will be catastrophic to the DP’s intentions to run for 2022. We have to remain just partners in a coalition,” Atuti said.
According to him, the DP will have an opportunity to familiarise Kenyans with the party at the grassroots to measure his strength against possible competitors in 2022.
“When you have your own party, people will get to know you better. The party will be a foundation for the presidency quest. Otherwise, the DP’s political fortunes will crumble if he doesn’t heed our call,” he said.
Atuti said he will lead a delegation from the county to pay the DP a courtesy call early in November to discuss the issue.
“For URP supporters in Nyamira, disbanding the party in favour of JAP is not welcome. We have booked an appointment and probably by early November, we will have his ear and we won't hesitate to reiterate our stand,” he said.
The deputy president has been quoted saying that plans to merge the Jubilee coalition parties are ongoing with President Uhuru Kenyatta expected to seek re-election on a JAP ticket.