I Regret Folding URP To Form Jubilee Party – Duale

Dissolving the United Republican Party (URP) in 2017 was a mistake, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale has said.

Speaking to the Standard, the former National Assembly majority leader said he was skeptical about merging parties to form what is now Jubilee Party but Deputy President William Ruto and his then TNA counterpart convinced him.

“We collapsed 14 parties to form Jubilee. We wanted to kill ethnic-based parties. I had misgivings about dissolving URP. Uhuru and Ruto convinced me. The party grew and managed to have elected leaders in 44 counties, with 170 MPs, ” said Duale.

He added: “But today, it is a shell. I regret the decision to collapse parties. If the president will not salvage Jubilee, the 2002 scenarios in Kanu will play out. There will be a mass exodus by leaders who will form a new outfit. I urge the president to rescue it. He can leave a legacy of leading the largest united, cohesive party.”

Speculations are rife that the DP is mapping a roadmap out of the ruling party as his boss frustrates his efforts to ascend to the highest political seat in the land.

Since the March 9 handshake, Ruto has taken a back seat as the President and his his handshake partner Raila Odinga forge a partnership meant to foster peace.

Speaking on his ouster from the majority leader post, Duale said he was not surprised.

In fact, he said, “In politics, the common denominator is betrayal and deceit and this you can ask Raila Odinga, William Ruto, Kalonzo Musyoka, Uhuru Kenyatta and many others who faced challenges in their political careers. I knew a day would come when I would leave office. I will focus on the future not the past. I am now doing my memoirs.”

The lawmaker is still grateful to the Jubilee party leadership for entrusting with the office of the majority leader.

I have absolutely no regrets. I’m a man of faith and I believe no position is permanent. Everyone who gets a chance to serve in public office, even the presidency, has to hang their boots at some point,” he said.

“I am happy having had the privilege to be the first leader of majority under Article 108 of the 2010 Constitution. I thank President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto for entrusting me with such an important constitutional office.”

He was replaced by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya.