AfricaPress-Kenya: Deputy President William Ruto (pictured) has dismissed claims President Uhuru Kenyatta has powers to enter into a coalition unilaterally.
Dr Ruto said decisions by the ruling Jubilee Party are not anchored on the whims of an individual, but party organs and members.“Jubilee fraternity should ignore propaganda peddled by desperados seeking dubious ethnic coalitions. Our progressive constitution vests power in party organs, not personalities,” said the DP.
“Jubilee as the governing party has no room for selfish evil experiments meant to benefit brokers and their ilk.”Ruto made the remarks in response to suggestions by Uhuru allies, who cited a clause in the party constitution, which they say essentially allows the party leader to sidestep the hostile wing of the outfit allied to the DP if he opts to enter a pact with other parties.
Uhuru allies had cited Article 9 of the Jubilee constitution, which states that the party leader has the ultimate powers over the running of the party and can choose to enter political co-operation with another coalition.
“The party leader shall promote political consultation, engagement and co-operation with other political parties and coalitions,” reads Article 9(8).But yesterday, Ruto’s allies cited article 32 of the party constitution that makes reference to the National Executive Committee (NEC) as the organ to make such a resolution.
“The National Executive Committee may pass a resolution to enter into a pre-election coalition with any political party or parties,” its states.
“The instrument of pre-election coalition shall bear the signature of the National Chairperson and the Secretary General and shall be sealed accordingly,” it says.Baringo North MP and Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAIC) chair William Cheptumo described coalition making as a rigorous process that requires approvals by various party organs.
Alternative clause
“You cannot read Article 9 in isolation. You have to read it together with other relevant articles like the role of NEC and other party organs,” said Cheptumo.
“Forming a coalition is not a simple matter and our party constitution provides for the avenue that includes NEC making a resolution. The party leader can initiate such a process but he will be guided by the party constitution,” he explained.He cited the recent objection of proposed changes to the National Management Committee (NMC) as a sign that Jubilee is a democratic party, which allows members to participate in every decision it makes.His Kimilili counterpart Didmus Barasa shared similar views, saying the clause only gives the party leader powers to initiate such a process, which has to be approved by various party organs.
“Any initiative by any member of the party has to be tabled for deliberations by various party organs. Those trying to justify the purported powers of the party leader are people keen to turn political parties into private entities,” said Barasa.Uhuru allies, however, insisted the party leader still has the powers so long as NEC members remain his picks.
Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu and Jubilee National Advisory Council (NAC) Secretary Hassan Osman said so long as Uhuru still has the powers to determine who sits in NEC, he retains the ultimate powers over the running of the party.
“NEC is and will continue to be made up of people who are primarily loyal to the party leader. This means that should he be interested in a particular coalition NEC would most certainly have it done,” said Ngunjiri.He said the recent fight in the party over proposed changes in NMC was part of Tangatanga scheme to try take control of the supreme organ.”They want NEC to be loyal to the deputy party leader and against the party leader. This is what the fight is about.
Tangatanga would want to have a NEC that’s not loyal to the party leader so that in case he wants to build a coalition, they can stop him. Unless it’s in the interests of the deputy party leader,” he added.
“However the JP constitution foresaw this and gave the party leader powers to appoint most of the NEC officials so that he’s able to lead without internal attempted coups.
“Majority Leader Aden Duale, Benjamin Washiali (Majority Whip), Senate Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen and Senate Majority Whip Susan Kihika are all members of NEC owing to posts they hold in Parliament.They are Ruto allies and are targeted for ouster by Uhuru’s wing in a double-pronged strategy aimed at handing the president control of NEC, the party as well as control of government business in Parliament.
