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.
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.
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.
He was replaced by Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya.