![President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handshake partner Raila Odinga. [Photo: Courtesy]](https://nairobileo.co.ke/storage/uploads/2021/03/IMG-20210323084414.jpg)
Coalition talks between the ruling Jubilee Coalition and ODM have hit a snag after key Uhuru allies called for an immediate halt to the negotiations.
Speaking to a local daily, Jubilee Party Deputy Secretary-General Joshua Kuttuny said that the ongoing talks have not been sanctioned by the party's leadership. This is despite his immediate superior, Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju being a member of the party's 5-man committee that is involved in coalition talks with ODM.
" We are not in discussions with ODM. Jubilee leaders and National Delegates Convention have not allowed such talks," Kuttuny told The Saturday Nation.
Kuttuny, who is the Cherangany constituency MP, went on to claim that if the party were to have coalition talks, it would be with NASA coalition which was formed by ODM, Amani National Coalition(ANC), FORD Kenya, Wiper and Chama Cha Mashinani.
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Jubilee Deputy Secretary-General Joshua Kuttuny/ Photo Courtesy
Kuttuny's assertions that the talks are premature were backed by Nyeri town lawmaker Ngunjiri Wambugu who is a staunch Uhuru ally.
"Those from our party talking about coalitions are doing so at the wrong time," he told Saturday Nation adding that the Mt Kenya region has not received the news well.
Hon Wambugu expressed concern with the timing of the talks especially with the party facing a fight in the Kiambaa by-election slated for July 15th. the Jubilee Candidate is facing John Wanjiku of UDA who is backed by Jubilee rebels led by Deputy President William Ruto and Moses Kuria.
On 18th June 2021, Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju announced that the party was working on creating an alliance with Raila Odninga' ODM that would culminate in the two parties having one presidential candidate.
In a press conference, Tuju claimed the talks had the blessings of President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga.
The revelations by Hon Kuttuny and Ngunjiri Wambugu now point to a huge rift in the Jubilee Party with one faction pulling towards a coalition with ODM and another seemingly reluctant.
