Jubilee members free to air views on Uhuru-Raila pact

Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju (left) and ODM leader Raila Odinga enjoy a church service at St Peters ACK Nyamira Parish in Bondo, Siaya County, on January 20, 2019 to mark Jaramogi Oginga Odinga’s 25th anniversary. They are pushing for the success of the Building Bridges Initiative. PHOTO | ONDARI OGEGA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • President Kenyatta and Mr Odinga are preparing for a tour early next month to popularise the handshake.
  • Mr Mudavadi called for the BBI to initiate a conference before they make their recommendations on what needs to be changed in the Constitution.

Jubilee Party has opted not to present its formal position document to the 14-member task force formed to implement the March 9 “handshake” between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga.

Instead, Secretary-General Raphael Tuju said the party will allow its members to be free to present their views individually.

“The issues being discussed by the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) are much bigger than Jubilee. If we were to come up with a document and say ‘this is the position of the party’, some might see it as us railroading members to adopt our position. We want them to be free to air their views,” Mr Tuju told the Nation in a phone interview.

The position taken by the ruling party is different from Mr Odinga’s ODM, which has adopted a position calling for the formation of a prime minister’s position and the adoption of a hybrid system.

The Orange party on Tuesday received a report from its technical committee which, if adopted, will then be presented to the BBI on the proposal to amend the Constitution.

ISSUES

Jubilee’s position could also be construed by many as an attempt by the party to insulate President Kenyatta, who has himself supported calls to end the winner-takes-all system.

Mr Odinga has severally equated the end-game of the handshake to a plebiscite that he says will solve the nine issues the duo came up with.

The nine issues are ethnic antagonism, lack of a national ethos, inclusivity, devolution, divisive elections, safety and security, corruption, a shared prosperity, as well as responsibilities and rights.

The task force, chaired by Garissa Senator Yusuf Haji and deputised by University of Nairobi lecturer Adams Oloo, has until May to come up with recommendations.

PARTICIPATION

Yesterday, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi called for the BBI to initiate a conference — akin to the 2005 Bomas talks led by Prof Yash Pal Ghai — before they make their recommendations on what needs to be changed in the Constitution.

“They must be able to move in such a manner that people will cease to look at the BBI as a programme of two people, which is dangerous. What if one pulls back?” Mr Mudavadi asked on Citizen TV.

Other members of the 14-member task force are Busia Senator Amos Wako, Samburu Woman Rep Maison Leshomo, Florence Omose, Saeed Mwanguni, James Matundura, Major (rtd) John Seii, Bishop Lawi Imathiu, Agnes Kavindu, Morompi ole Ronkai, Bishop Peter Njenga, Rose Moseu and Zechhaeus Okoth.

The decision by Jubilee comes as Mt Kenya, President Kenyatta’s backyard, prepares for a planned tour early next month by the President and Mr Odinga to popularise the handshake in what has been billed as “Handshake mashinani”.