High Court bars Kanini Kega, Sabina Chege from taking control of Jubilee Party
The High Court has issued conservatory orders barring the Kanini Kega faction from taking over the reins of Jubilee Party.
The order reverses a decision that was passed early this week by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT), which saw Kioni and Murathe locked out of their positions in Jubilee.
Embattled Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni had moved to the High Court to appeal the decision by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) that upheld his removal from office, claiming that the ruling was illegal.
In the ruling, Justice Asenath Ongeri gave reprieve to SG Kioni, Vice Chair Murathe and Treasurer Kagwe Gichohi by withholding their expulsion from the immediate former ruling party headed by retired president Uhuru Kenyatta.
“The application dated 12/7/2023 is certified urgent. The same is to be served upon the respondents for an interparty hearing on 26/7/2023 before Honourable Justice Visram. In the meantime, conservatory orders are granted in terms of prayers 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the application dated 12/7/2023.” The ruling read in part.
“Pending the hearing and determination of this application inter-partes, the Honourable court be pleased to issue conservatory orders to the effect that the underlying decisions the subject of the impugned judgement of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal in PPDT Complaint No. 10 of 2023, to wit; the decisions of the National Executive Committee dated 10th February and 19th May 2023 and the decision of the National Disciplinary Committee dated 18th May 2023 be and are hereby stayed.”
On Wednesday, Nderitu gazetted East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega as the new Jubilee Party Secretary General replacing Kioni. Other changes in the party include Eldas MP Adan Keynan as the National Chairman replacing David Murathe, Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai as the new National Treasurer and Isiolo Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya as the Women League National Chairperson.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo was named the Senate leader, her Lamu counterpart Joseph Githuku Kamau the Senate Chief Whip, Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama picked to lead the party affairs in the National Assembly, and Nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Sabina Chege as the National Assembly Chief Whip.
The Registrar also gazetted Bahati MP Irene Njoki, nominated senator Margaret Kamar and Nyamira County Woman MP Jerusha Momanyi as Jubilee Party National Executive Committee (NEC) members.
Speaking at a media conference after the ruling, Kioni welcomed the High Court’s ruling and affirmed that party the officials gazetted in March 2022, remain in their positions and the party is still a member of the Azimio la Umoja coalition.
“Early this week we were treated to some drama within the political parties dispute tribunal. It is encouraging to see that part of the Judiciary still cares about being fair and just.” Kioni said.
Nderitu had asked anyone opposing the changes to the Jubilee leadership to inform the Registrar of Political Parties within seven days through a written submission.
The seven-day window seemed to have offered the Kioni-led faction alongside retired president Uhuru Kenyatta a last chance to regain control of the former ruling party before the changes take effect officially.
