Looming Showdown as Ruto’s Allies Vow to Visit Jubilee Headquarters despite Being Banned

A confrontation is looming at the Jubilee Party Headquarters in Pangani after a number of leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto vowed to visit the area despite a ban by the party leadership.

Addressing the media on Friday, Jubilee Party Secretary General Rapahel Tuju noted that the party had resolved to ban Ruto from using its headquarters as a space to operationalize his 2022 presidential bid.

"We would like to be absolutely clear, that we serve one President at a time. The DP, a self-declared 2022 presidential candidate, will not be allowed to use the party HQ as a centre of operationalization of his campaigns and for intimidation," Tuju said.

"The NMC has resolved that the Deputy President will not use the party headquarters for his brand of so called hustler politics. We will not allow an attempted power grab as happened yesterday," he added.

Reacting to Tuju’s announcement, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator said the leaders will visit the party headquarters since it is being financed by their money.

“We want to tell Tuju we are members of Jubilee by choice, we were elected to become members of Jubilee, we campaigned and looked for votes so that you became relevant to hold that office. You cannot tell us we will not meet in that office in Pangani, my friend, we’ll be there Monday, Tuesday… for as long as our money is funding that office, we shall be in that office,” he said.

Murkomen’s point of view was echoed by a number of leaders who noted that they will pitch camp at the Jubilee Headquarters today.

“Jubilee is a political party, not a religious cult. The thinking that its leader is supreme is not only superfluous but hollow to the core. Members of the party are at liberty to direct the party to the course they deem fit. Watch out for the next few days,” Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot said as quoted by Standard.

Jubilee Party Deputy Secretary General Caleb Kositany and Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro noted that the party headquarters will be busy this week as they have planned a series of activities.

GSU to pitch camp at Jubilee party headquarters

Meanwhile, Jubilee Party vice chairman David Murathe has said the party will have GSU officers at its headquarters to ensure the DP and his allies do access the premise.

“Let them try to come without prior notice. We will deploy the red beret, fanya fujo uone. The General Service Unit will be at the premises to ensure there is order,” Murathe said during an interview with Standard.