Jubilee’s big day turns chaotic as Party cancels primaries across the country

Jubilee Party has cancelled nominations in all the 21 counties that were slated to undertake the exercise on Friday, April 21, citing “logistical challenges brought about by underestimating the voter turnout”.

Speaking at Jubilee Headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi on Friday evening, Party Secretary General, Raphael Tuju, said the party will announce new dates for its primaries on Saturday, April 22.

“We admit to have totally underestimated the level of voter turnout across the country. We had estimated the turnout at 50 percent. We are planning for a repeat of the primaries next week, and the party leadership is reprinting ballot papers that will be used in the exercise,” said Mr Tuju.

Mr Tuju said the party opted for the decision “to ensure integrity of the whole exercise”.

This decision was made known just a few minutes after the party had announced cancelling party primaries in 17 counties

The counties included: Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Laikipia, Meru and Nyandarua, Nakuru, Narok, Kajiado, Bomet, Elgeyo Marakwet, Nandi, Kericho, Uasin Gishu, Trans Nzoia, Embu and Baringo Counties.

This comes even as confusion marred the process from dawn with poll officials in the affected counties with reports of irregularities in the distribution of ballot papers and delays of delivery of voting materials.

The party now says it will take all the necessary measures to avoid a repeat of the same before announcing the new dates.

“We still have the option of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to complete the process,” said National Elections Board Chair, Andrew Musangi.

Mr Tuju further was keen to note that the party was using its membership register and that the IEBC register was just to verify the voter’s polling station.