Kenyatta's supporters with a placard at a past rally in Machakos. Photo courtesy Uhuru Kenyatta Facebook page
TNA received its certificate of registration on Thursday, and within hours Kenyatta posted a message on his Facebook page congratulating the party.
“This is a party that is driven by the youth whom I believe should take up their rightful role in defining the leadership and destiny of our country. I am proud to be associated with a party such as this that captures the moment of our country and the aspirations of millions of Kenyans without reference to tribe, age or class. Hongera!” Kenyatta’s post read.
The National Alliance Party led by Chairman Johnson Sakaja and Secretary General Onyango Oloo will now be officially unveiled on May 20 in Nairobi.
Speaking after receiving the Party’s registration certificate at the Registrar of Political Parties offices, Onyango said
Kenyatta was free to join the party and compete in the nominations for it’s presidential ticket.
“When a party is formed it’s meant to attract and encourage interested members to join. If Uhuru expresses interest in joining the party we are willing and ready to work with him just as we will work with other members who join,” said Onyango.
The SG said that the party will meet aspirants on May 19 before it is officially launched.“This marks the beginning of a new dispensation of a new party that will form the next government on a platform of youthful vigour,” asserted Onyango.
On his part, Sakaja, insisted that the party is representative of the face of the country and none of the officials would be contesting for political office.
“We bring to Kenya not only our youthfulness and professionalism, but also a fresh take on what politics should be – a new way of thinking that we hope to transfer to the minds of our people – that everything they want is possible,” Sakaja said.
In early April, Kenyatta ditched Kenya’s oldest party KANU in which he was chairman indicating that he was not going to seek any elective post in the upcoming party elections.
Kenyatta then accused KANU Secretary General Nick Salat of standing in the way of the party’s progress terming his actions as the reason to why the party had twice postponed scheduled National Delegates Conferences.
KANU later went ahead to amend its constitution and present its application for full registration before the now expired April 30 deadline.
Kenyatta has kept his supporters guessing ever since. Other officials of TNA include deputy chairperson Lydia Mokaya, Treasurer Wambui Gichuru, Deputy Treasurer Dennis Kirwa, Organising Secretary Birya Chande and deputy organising secretary Genesio Mugo.
Similarly, Eldoret North MP William Ruto’s party United Republican Party also received its registration certificate with party chairman Francis Ole Kaparo assuring that there will be a free and fair nomination process.
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