Jubilee members are sharply divided over plans to rebrand the party in order to shed off association with deputy party leader William Ruto.
Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny, who is the party’s deputy secretary-general had proposed a change in the party colours and logo.
In his argument, Kutuny wanted the party to do away with the yellow colour that is associated with William Ruto’s United Republic Party (URP) that was among the major parties which folded to form Jubilee in 2017.
Before Jubilee’s merger in 2016, Ruto’s URP had Yellow and black as dominant colours in its Logo, while TNA, which was associated with Uhuru Kenyatta had white and red. These colours were joined together to form the current logo and theme of the Jubilee Party.
However, a section of jubilee members disagrees with the leadership’s plans to change its outlook in a bid to do away with William Ruto.
Nyeri Town MP Ngujiri Wambugu argued that it is inapplicable to rebrand the party when a member leaves.
“Our party is about unity, which is what the two clasped hands signify. The colour works for us. A party logo and colours cannot be changed every time some members leave or join,
“Our parties must now be bigger than any individual unless we are saying that we will be changing our party logos anytime someone leaves or joins. Let us not fall into the trap of making some people look bigger than they are,” Ngujiri Wambugu remarked in a post on his social media page.
Mwea MP Wachira Kabinga also held the same argument, saying the Jubile party rightfully owns yellow and black colours; hence should not be changed.
“Instead of changing the colours, we should be thinking about the leadership of the party. Some of the people have outlived their leadership they should step back and let others take the mantle,” he said.
In addition, Maua MP Kareke Mbiuki argued that such changes can only be made with the approval of jubilee members.
“Therefore, the Jubilee leadership should call for a party group meeting to notify members of the plans to rebrand the party,” he observed.
Other than Jubilee members, a section of the leadership is also opposed to Kutuny’s proposal.
Vice-Chairman David Murathe contradicted the sentiments of his party deputy secretary general Joshua Kutuny, saying the party will not change its outlook.
