President Uhuru Kenyatta met Jubilee aspirants from 14 counties, including many governors and MPs who defected from opposition parties, to map out their campaign strategy ahead of August elections.
The aspirants represented candidates for the posts of Member of Parliament, Senator, women Representative and Governors.
They were from Bungoma, Busia, Kakamega, Kisii, Nyamira, Kitui, Machakos, Makueni, Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Tana River, Lamu and Taita Taveta – of the Western, Nyanza, Lower Eastern, and Coast regions who will fly the Jubilee Party flag when decision time comes in August.
Speaking during the event attended by Deputy President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi, and President Kenyatta urged the aspirants to preach the Jubilee’s agenda of uniting all Kenyans as they traverse the country in search of votes.
The meeting comes ahead of a special National Delegates Conference of the Jubilee Party, which will formally endorse President Kenyatta as Presidential candidate. Jubilee affiliates begun their own special conferences to endorse the President’s candidature on Thursday.
“Our agenda has been to unite all Kenyans regardless of where they come from knowing all well that when we work together Kenya will be an Island of prosperity in a sea of uncertainty in this region,” said President Kenyatta.
The President pledged full support to the Jubilee team ahead of a grueling campaign, saying, “I will be fully behind you. But elections are won on the ground. When you leave here, go to the ground and secure those votes.”
“In the next three months we need to convert ourselves into sitting MCA’s, MPs, Senators, Governors and President and his Deputy,” said President Kenyatta.
Speaking at the event, Deputy President Ruto said many of the candidates had joined the Jubilee family from the opposition because they believed in uniting Kenya, seeking peace, and ultimately delivering and entrenching prosperity.
“Many of these people were in other parties but they decided to join Jubilee because they believe in the agenda of uniting all Kenyan communities,” said the Deputy President.
He also spoke of progress in Jubilee’s efforts to win votes in areas it did not perform well in 2013: “Last time we had difficulties going to Western in fact we only campaigned in Bungoma this is because we had no one to talk to about the agenda of Jubilee, but now we not only have people but serious candidates.”
The candidates won their primaries in competitive races in their various counties.
Prominent figures at the event included Governors Ken Lusaka (Bungoma), Hussein Dado (Tana River), Salim Mvurya (Kwale),Taveta MP Naomi Shaban and House Majority Leader Aden Duale.