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Kenya: Security Tight in Nairobi as Jubilee and ODM Meet to Endorse Raila

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4 years ago

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Nairobi — Security was tightened in Nairobi Saturday as two big political parties-Jubilee and ODM-converged separately to endorse Raila Odinga as their joint presidential candidate for the Azimio La Umoja coalition that brings together more than 20 parties.

Heavily armed police officers were seen patrolling city streets, mainly on City Hall Way and Parliament Road that surrounds KICC where President Uhuru Kenyatta will be chairing the Jubilee party NDC.

President Kenyatta will use the occasion to formally endorse Odinga as his preferred successor and will explain more on why he does not support his deputy William Ruto who started campaigning for the seat 3 years ago.

Both NDC’s are expected to review and formulate the respective party policies and amend and ratify proposed changes in their constitutions.

Jubilee party delegates will also approve the new seal, symbol, and flag of the party as well as consider other arising matters.

The ruling party convention which is expected to be addressed by President Uhuru Kenyatta is also expected to adopt ‘Mbele Pamoja’ as its new slogan.

Also, to be considered at the NDC is the newly proposed seal, symbol and flag of the party according to an earlier notice from the party’s secretary General Raphael Tuju.

The conventions come a day after Principals of the One Kenya Alliance announced that they have agreed to work with the Jubilee party and Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement party ahead of the August election.

On day 1 of the NDC on Friday, six political outfits signed a coalition agreement with Jubilee Party as they position themselves ahead of the August 9 polls.

The Parties include; the Party of National Unity (PNU), the Democratic Alliance Party of Kenya(DAPK), United Party of independent Alliance(UPIA), Pamoja African Alliance(PAA) Party, Kenya Union Party, and United Progressive Alliance (UPA).

Jubilee’s NDC comes at a time when the ruling party has remained largely divided with numerous high-caliber defections including the exit of Deputy Party Leader William Ruto who fell out with the President Uhuru Kenyatta, the Party Leader, and formed the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which he plans to use in seeking the presidency in the August 9 presidential election.

Ruto says he respects President Kenyatta’s decision to support Raila

Ruto has received a number of Jubilee lawmakers and Governors including recently Nyandarua Senator Mwangi Githiomi and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga.