Letter from Africa: Party time in Kenya

In our series of letters from African journalists, social commentator Joseph Warungu asks why Kenya’s governing coalition has launched its new Jubilee Party.

After about six years of courtship, the political marriage between Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto has finally been solemnised and consummated.

The couple now has a healthy, bouncing baby known as Jubilee.

It was born on Saturday, weighing an incredible 12kg (the number of political parties that merged to create Jubilee).

In Mr Kenyatta’s Kikuyu culture, the birth of a baby boy is welcomed with five loud ululations by the women present.

Some of Kenya’s leading gospel and secular artistes and comedians were on hand to raise the decibel metre, as they led the crowds of thousands in celebrating the birth.

And in Mr Ruto’s Kalenjin customs, a baby boy is sprinkled with traditional beer by the elders as a sign of blessing.

The Jubilee launch did not spare a coin in its sprinkle.

The well-fed boy was floating on the millions of shillings spent on the lavish ceremony; from high-end vehicles with comprehensive branding, to extensive catering for the masses and cash allowances for the thousands of delegates who attended.