[Jubilee party leader President Uhuru Kenyatta and deputy William Ruto. Photo/Courtesy]
Before it fully became one Jubilee Party, there were two major parties, president Uhuru Kenyatta's TNA and his deputy William Ruto's United Republican Party (URP).
The parties had strong support in Central Kenya and the larger Rift Valley region where the two leaders are perceived to have huge following, respectively.
With support from other small parties that supported Uhuru's government, they were all merged to one 'big' Jubilee Party, in September 7, 2016. Uhuru said this was to ensure unity across Kenya, and warned that those that had failed to merge, but supported his re-election, were not sure of what they want.
However, things seem to be going against the president's earlier will, due to the April 21, Jubilee party primaries.
Some aspirants are afraid that they may be locked out of the nominations, due to lack of fairness and high competition.
This has made him to finally agree to have small parties, as Jubilee partners, so as members who will feel 'rejected', can find solace, and continue supporting his leadership.
Such 'side' parties include: Maendeleo Chap Chap (Dr Alfred Mutua), Narc Kenya (Martha Karua), Labour Party (Ababu Namwamba), Kanu (Gideon Moi), Frontier Alliance Party, Party of Democracy and Reforms, Kenya Patriotic Party, Party of Development and Restoration, Economic Freedom Party, Democratic Party, and the Party of National Unity (Peter Munya).
The listed parties declined to merge into Jubilee, but their leaders vowed to support Uhuru's re-election. This seems to be a big win to Uhuru, after he affirmed that his party recognises their support.
Alliance Party of Kenya (APK) United Republican Party (URP), Grand National Union (GNU), New Ford Kenya (NFK), Ford People (FP), United Democratic Forum (UDF), Republican Congress (RC), The National Alliance Party (TNA) and The Independence Party (TIP) formed Jubilee.