A Kisii based don and renowned historian cum political analyst Nyachieo Bogonko insist that the newly crafted Jubilee Alliance Party would not click in the competitive political environment.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto have not hidden their intention to have a number of political parties dissolve to form one major political party JAP that is expected to help the president seek his reelection.
Bogonko in an exclusive interview on Wednesday said the party may not survive during grassroots elections and subsequent nominations ahead of 2017 polls.
“Honestly, my judgment is that Jubilee Party was dead on arrival. It was hastily constituted and you could see the rebellion from key leaders like Meru Governor Peter Munya. It can only work in a movie or literary world,” he said.
Bogonko added: “The big task would be during branch elections and nominations. The alliance will be favorite in its Central and Rift Valley strongholds and this is where we are going to see fireworks. In Kenya, it’s difficult to have competitive and fair nominations and that is when you will see the reason why they should have just remained a coalition.”
He said the party may deny Jubilee high representation in the House saying popular candidates who may not be favored and could clinch seats on different parties.
“What we must be honest with this that not everyone may be satisfied with nominations. Popular candidates who may feel shortchanged would move to different parties denying JAP majority representation and that’s why I believe merging of those parties is the biggest political mistake,” he said.