Jubilee Has No Plan to Weaken NASA, Duale Says

President Uhuru's Jubilee party through Majority Leader in the National Assembly Aden Duale has denied claims that its behind the disquiet in the National Super Alliance (NASA).

Speaking on Thursday, Duale said that the ruling party is now focusing on uniting the country after a prolonged and divisive political period.

"Jubilee Party will reach out to like-minded leaders across the country, NASA being one of them, to unite the country after the deeply divisive elections,” he stated.

The Garissa township MP said Jubilee is not behind the divisions in the NASA coalition, adding that the government needs a strong opposition to keep it in check. He said Jubilee has no plans to weaken Nasa.

“We have no intention of weakening the Opposition. We want a vibrant Opposition so that we can take on each other on issues that will make this country grow." Duale explained.

He said the infight in Nasa was as a result of scramble for Parliament leadership positions among the four affiliate parties.

“NASA has fallen because of the leadership of the House and it’s very common with an Opposition, particularly coming soon after they lose an election. There is always pull and push because, for the next five years, they have to manage succession."

“The Opposition will have issues to address on their 2022 succession. We are not involved. We have no business with them," Duale added.

Musalia Mudavadi's Amani National Congress (ANC) and a section of MPs from the coast region have expressed their dissatisfaction with the list of house leadership submitted to Parliament. While ANC accused ODM of sidelining other parties in the coalition, coast MPs lamented lack of regional and gender representation.

The list submitted to the Parliament on Wednesday named Bungoma senator Moses Wetangu’la as the Senate Minority Leader (FORD Kenya), deputized by his Siaya counterpart James Orengo (ODM).

In the National Assembly, Suba South MP John Mbadi was named as National Assembly Minority Leader (ODM), while Robert Mbui is the National Assembly Deputy Minority Leader (Wiper). Makueni senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr is the new Senate Minority Whip (Wiper) and deputized by nominated senator Petronilla Were (ANC), while Junet Mohammed is the National Assembly Minority Whip (ODM). Chris Wamalwa was appointed as National Assembly Deputy Minority Whip (FORD Kenya).