No cut-off point in UDF, DPP coalition
Three years before the 2019 elections, there is still no cut-off point of the United Democratic Front and Democratic Progress Party (DPP) coalition raising questions whether UDF will contest the elections on its own.
The two parties are in a coalition which saw most UDF members of Parliament crossing the flow to government benches.
In an interview with The Daily Times recently, UDF publicity secretary Ken Ndanga said a decision has not been made yet as to when the coalition will come to an end, although the party is introducing party membership cards.
“DPP is not UDF and UDF can never be DPP. We have a party to run which has its own constitution and leadership structure. We have never been DPP, we are not going to ask members from other parties other UDF to pay for the membership cards,” Ndanga said.
Ndanga further said the party membership cards will help the party keep records of its members and also help the party raise funds for various activities in the party.
“We want to put up a mechanism whereby there will be no abuse of these funds collected from the members that is why it has taken us some time to launch it. We have toured most parts of the country sensitising our members on this initiative and we are certain this initiative will make the party stronger and have dedicated members,” Ndanga said.
Ndanga clarified that party membership cards are different from those used during the one party era arguing that it is not compulsory but only those that want to become members of the party will access the cards.
“The two initiatives are very different … in our case people have the choice to belong to any political party of their choice. We are only targeting those people out there who claim to be true UDF members,” he explained.
In an earlier interview, political commentator Mustafa Hussein commended the party for introducing the initiative.
“It is a very a good idea which the party should go ahead and give a try. The party will be able to document information about its members and build a strong party because they will be able to know [who belongs to me]. In terms of funding, the funds will be used rightly looking at the fact that the party will somehow fund itself with the membership fee,” said Hussein.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
