ODM not yet politically mature – Kipchumba Murkomen

Senate Deputy Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen has hit out at the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) over an apparent show of political immaturity.

Addressing United Republican Party (URP) national delegates’ conference on Thursday, Murkomen said that the move by ODM to plan a rally in Mombasa to counter Jubilee’s party launch was immature, saying at ten years ODM was not yet ready for a political face off with Jubilee.

“We hear ODM members have planned a meeting to mark their ten-year anniversary. Our message to them is they are not mature yet, they are still teenagers,” he said as the delegates applauded.

“URP is a mature party, we are now at the engagement stage readying for marriage.”

Murkomen further warned against politics of ethnicity saying Kenyans deserve a party that would unite them rather than divide them.

In an oblique jab at Mashinani Party leader and Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, Murkomen said that Kenya was not ready for a party that would only enjoy support from a village but one that would enlist national support.

“If you want to be the leader of a village party then be so, but as Jubilee we are focused on national leadership and creation of a party that has a national appeal.

National Assembly Deputy Speaker in her address called on URP members to support the new Jubilee Party saying it will provide better things for Kenya.

Laboso said that the entry into Jubilee marks a history fete for URP and would foster unity in the country ahead of the next elections.

In his absence, URP leader and Deputy President William Ruto’s speech was read by National Assembly Majority Leader Aden Duale.

In his address, Duale called on URP members to support the merger saying the party was not dissolving but merging with other like-minded parties for the unity of the country.

The conference was attended by URP delegates from the counties, governors, senators, MPs and MCAs.

URP is among the parties that has dissolved on Thursday to form the new Jubilee Party ahead of it mega launch on Saturday.

Others are President Uhuru Kenyatta’s TNA, APK, New Ford Kenya, Tip Tip, Saba Saba Asili, Chama cha Mwananchi, GNU, Ford People, Republican Congress Party of Kenya, UPK, UDF and PNU.

@benjaminwafula