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The move by President Uhuru Kenyatta to launch an aggressive campaign to revitalise his Jubilee Party and make it the dominant outfit in the Mt Kenya region is causing jitters and other Azimio la Umoja affiliated parties.

 Framers of the Azimio la Umoja that has so far attracted over 15 parties supportive of Orange leader  Raila Odinga’s presidential campaign had anticipated a situation that will see certain regions zoned for the small parties in their strongholds.

This was occasioned by concerns that the coalition could find itself fielding candidates almost equivalent to the number of member parties in a single electoral area and split their support in favour of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) which has vowed to face the poll solely.

But after Uhuru unleashed troops, the majority of whom are elected leaders to run “on-ground activation” campaign in favour of the ruling party in his backyard, a section of officials in the affiliate parties have grown jittery, with concerns being that it will kill other affiliate parties, particularly in Mt Kenya region where Uhuru still commands influence.

“Jubilee is trying to swallow Mt Kenya parties. This is Raila’s biggest risk. Jubilee revival may not necessarily mean improved ratings for former PM, because Jubilee is associated with Ruto. Most of the remaining Jubilee troops are not campaigning. So when the PM leaves, there is scant activity. PNU, Ubuntu, Bus and Narc K have filled this void. Edging them out is shortsighted and plays for Ruto,” a top official in one of the affiliate parties told People Daily.

The other parties in the region supportive of Azimio la Umoja are Party of National Unity associated with Agriculture minister Peter Munya and Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi (pictured) who is the head of Raila’s campaign secretariat, Ubuntu People’s Forum of Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, Devolution Empowerment Party belonging to Governor Kiraitu Murungi and National Ordinary People Empowered Union (NOPEU) associated with EALA MP Mpuru Aburi.

 History professor Macharia Munene says officials in the small parties that were hoping to thrive out of the death of the Jubilee Party have every reason to be worried because the efforts by the president, who he says are very still powerful will injure them and deny them chances of winning seats.

 “The President is a very influential person, and there is a reason why the small political parties exist. They succeed mostly in the absence of big political parties and in areas where the parties want to feel safe,” Munene said.