Officials of the Republican Congress Party of Kenya (RC), an affiliate of Jubilee Party, have accused the national office of shortchanging them.
The officials, led by secretary general Ibrahim Babangida, have issued a 14-day ultimatum to their national office, threatening to make a ground shaking decision if action is not taken.
Babangida claimed that the party has not been adequately facilitated since the last elections, and accused the national office of favoritism.
He questioned the motive for sending former TNA Secretary General Dan Oloo to preside over Mombasa branch elections.
He termed the move as a slap on the face, since he holds a similar position with Oloo.
“We were shortchanged and undermined, are we lesser members in the Coalition?” he asked.
He urged the Jubilee secretariat under Raphael Tuju’s leadership to move with speed and disband the current office.
“Leaders who spearheaded the 2013 campaign and failed to produce results are the same still holding office, how come they have retained office even after the merger?”, he asked.
Bababngida said out of the 19 positions, only four RC members (Ali Soud-Vice chairman, Mohamed Kimbwila- Deputy Organizing Secretary, Narman Mohammed- Assistant Treasurer and Swaleh Shambi-Youth leader) were voted in.
His sentiments were echoed by Sureya Hersi who unsuccessfully vied for the position of Women Representative in the last elections.
Hersi said the party members were being sidelined in key decision making, a situation that has made them appear like ‘flower girls’.
“We cannot pretend that we are in a coalition when we are actually spectators, we will not accept to be flower girls,” she said.
Hersi claimed that during the merger and signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), it was agreed that RC would be given a leading role in spearheading Jubilee activities at the Coast.
“If they had to bring a former TNA Secretary General to conduct the elections, then what role will we play after elections? We want to be active players in the party and also want our stake in the party clearly defined,” she noted.
The officials also reprimanded Suleiman Shahbal and Anania Mwaboza for leading rival factions, saying they are not recognized by the national office.