JUBILEE RETREAT IN NAIVASHA TENSION PACKED

The Jubilee Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting kicked off Friday on a high note, deliberating on a number of issues, including relationship of members of both Houses and with Cabinet Secretaries. The second parliamentary retreat at the Great Rift Valley Lodge attended by Senators, members of National Assembly and the Executive, seeks to identify the key challenges they face, rate performance and come up with key objectives to implement. The matter of the Jubilee Alliance Party was left pending, for the legislators to get the true position of the same from President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto before taking a stand. As indicated by the Coalition’s leadership, the top agenda was the deliberations on the two Bills sponsored by Mithika Linturi (Igembe South) on the censure Motion against Devolution Cabinet Secretray Ann Waiguru and Boniface Otsula (Bumula) on the International Criminal Court ( ICC). Although National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale had affirmed that discussion surrounding the two Bills, was to take centre stage, the session was cancelled after it became apparent, the MPs needed more lobbying from Linturi. Otsula, told The Saturday Standard that his colleagues had unanimously agreed to support his Bill. See also: Jubilee MPs in Naivasha retreat to discuss ICC, new alliance party The meeting was also a scorecard on the Jubilee performance and implementation by the national executive as alluded on by Senate Majority Leader Kindiki Kithure. The legislators also discussed the perceived wrangles between the two Houses of Parliament and how best to address the matter. Duale admitted the coalition, however, faces challenges such as the constant conflict between the Senate and the National Assembly, which has led to duplication of legislative mandate. By the time of going to Press, the MPs were still waiting for President Kenyatta to arrive so they could discuss together the observations, aspirations and feelings of the members. The general feeling was also on the position of JAP, which might be agreed on today. The small parties affiliated to Jubilee coalition have, however, opposed the ruling coalition’s move to form the Party, citing lack of proper consultations. They complained that they have been sidelined in the coalition despite their support in Parliament during the passing of key bills. Alliance Party Of Kenya Leader Kiraitu Murungi, said there must be enough consultations over the new party involving all Jubilee affiliate parties.
Kiraitu said that the interests of the all the constituent parties should be catered for and its structure explained to the members. United Democratic Front (UDF) MP Roba Duba (Moyale) said the Amani Coalition agreed to join the two main parties TNA and URP in Jubilee with the hope their supporters would benefit from the Government.