Battle of the Titans as Jubilee, ODM hold major meetings

Two of Kenya’s leading political factions, Jubilee and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), will on Saturday hold major meetings in Nairobi and Mombasa respectively in readiness for the 2017 elections.

While Jubilee delegates and supporters will be converging at the Kasarani Sports Complex to officially launch their party, ODM leaders and supporters will be at Mama Ngina Drive to mark the party’s 10-year anniversary in an event dubbed ODM 10 at 10.

Saturday will be the last day of Jubilee’s three-day delegates’ conference which began by the dissolution of affiliate parties on Thursday, key note address from Deputy President William Ruto on Friday and an address by party leader President Uhuru Kenyatta and the launch of the party on Saturday.

In his address, Ruto said that Saturday would be a historical day for the country saying the launch of Jubilee will mark a change in Kenya’s political landscape.

The Kasarani event will begin with a concert running from 6am to 2pm before President Uhuru Kenyatta’s arrival.

At the Jubilee Party headquarters, the party legislators will converge for the officially opening of the offices before the delegation head to Kasarani to begin the ceremony.

President Kenyatta will address the supporters paving way for the official launch that will include song, dance and fireworks.

Mombasa will also experience a beehive of activities as ODM seeks to showcase its political supremacy during their anniversary celebration, where an “important political announcement” will be made.

On Thursday, Deputy Party leader Hassan Joho flagged off ODM branded buses to transport delegates to Mombasa, with a further 823 personal vehicles reportedly heading from the counties to Mombasa for the event.

ODM leader Raila Odinga is already in Mombasa for the event.

Raila arrived in Mombasa on Friday where he was treated to a special luncheon held in his honour by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho.

“450 MCAs, 110 MPs, 18 Senators and at least 10 Governors have confirmed attendance over and above the delegates from all over Kenya. A team of expert bakers have been tasked to prepare a giant cake for guests to commemorate the event,” read a statement from ODM Director of Elections and Campaign Junet Mohamed.

“In the evening (Saturday), there shall be a celebratory procession on Mama Ngina drive where international award-winning music artist Diamond will jet in from the US to entertain guests, with the night concluding with a dramatic fireworks display that promises to leave Kenyans breathless.”

ODM had earlier accused Jubilee of spending big to fund the delegates’ conference, allegations that the party’s steering committees co-chair Kiraitu Murungi has vehemently denied.

It is, however, unclear how much their budget is, though Joho has insisted that their anniversary celebration has been bankrolled by party supporters.