Revealed: Tuju, Murathe, Wamatangi hold secret meeting to polish ODM – Jubilee coalition agreement
Details that led to the final decision of having the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Jubilee parties enter a pre-election coalition agreement ahead of the 2022 General elections can now be revealed.
The People Daily Digital team has established Jubilee Party Secretary General Raphael Tuju held a closed meeting in a city-based hotel where they agreed that it was time the two parties that fiercely opposed each other in the 2017 General elections start working together.
“This development springs from an already existing good collaboration between the two parties in parliament on matters of National interest. The two- party leaders have also cultivated a working relationship for the good of the country in act of Statesmanship that has won praise internationally,” he said.
In a statement, Tuju said that the decision had been made after all the Jubilee Party members supported the move.
Tuju further saying the party’s top council had agreed to formally engage with the ODM Party in drawing a framework agreement on a pre-election coalition agreement.
Those who attended the meeting alongside Tuju include; Kipipiri Member of Parliament Amos Kimunya, Jubilee Vice Chairman David Murathe, Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi and Igembe North MP Maoka Maore.
A highly placed source told People Daily Digital that the five agreed to back up a recent announcement by President Uhuru Kenyatta that he will support Raila Odinga who is the ODM leader to take over from him as the Head of State.
“In the meeting, the five agreed to back President Kenyatta’s decision that he will be working with Odinga in the spirit of the handshake,” the source told People Daily.
The source further said that the talks between the two parties are scheduled to continue early next week and that plans were underway to approach Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi and his Ford Kenya Counterpart Moses Wetangula.
The revelation comes days before Odinga’s said announcement in Nakuru County, whereby he is expected to officially launch his presidential bid.
Odinga’s announcement will be climaxed by a meeting with Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, Kanu leader Gideon Moi and their Ford Kenya counterpart Moses Wetangula.
Tuju on his part revealed that part of the reason they had decided to take the move is the fact that the two parties despite going head-to-head in the last General election had worked together since President Kenyatta and Odinga shook hands in March 2018.
The next move, Tuju revealed, was to inform Gideon Moi led Kanu party over the decision to enjoin with ODM.
The move comes barely weeks after parties in the NASA coalition agreed to part ways with ODM which was the main party in the coalition saying it was out to seek new allies ahead of the 2022 General elections.