President Uhuru Kenyatta will have to fight to retain his party leadership slot in the coming polls slated for March, Aldai Member of Parliament Cornelly Serem has said.
Serem spoke in reference to claims that Uhuru might seek to remain in power as Prime Minister, using his position as the Jubilee leader, as has been claimed by people thought to be close to him.
However, the lawmaker says that such a decision, if Uhuru wants the backing of the party to bounce back as Premier, can only be discussed in a Parliamentary Group meeting.
He pointed out that Uhuru might not even enjoy an automatic election into the Party Leadership slot, which he currently holds, and will have to battle it out with other interested members.
"If he wants the position, let him convene a PG and ask for our support and we will make that decision based on merit. Even if he wants to continue as the party leader, he will have to compete against others interested in the seat," he told the Standard on Wednesday.
He also called upon the President to come out and declare if he is really interested in the Prime Minister seat, as has repeatedly been claimed by former Jubilee Vice Chair David Murathe.
He found it not in order for someone who is no longer a member of Jubilee (Murathe) to be the one making the remarks yet the president has remained silent on the same.
According to Serem, as things stand now, Murathe appears to be delivering Uhuru's position on the issue.
"If he (Uhuru) wants to become prime minister, let him come out and say it. When someone who does not hold any party position talks on behalf of the president then it points to a problem somewhere,” he said.
The remarks came only a day after Deputy President William Ruto rubbished the calls, telling Kenyans that Uhuru will retire in 2022.