High Court Stops Kanini Kega, Sabina Chege From Leading Jubilee

The High Court on Thursday, July 13 issued conservatory orders suspending the Kanini Kega faction from taking over the Jubilee Party.

In a ruling issued by Justice Asenath Ongeri, the court likewise saved Jeremiah Kioni as Secretary General, David Murathe (Vice Chair), and Kagwe Gichohi (Treasurer) from being expelled from the former ruling party.

Kioni had moved to the High Court to appeal the decision by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal that upheld his removal from office, claiming that the ruling was illegal.

"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 Hon. 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," read part of the ruling.

Speaking at a media presser by Azimio La Umoja after the ruling, Kioni celebrated the High Court's ruling and affirmed that party officials who were gazetted on March 22, 2022, remain in their positions and the party is still a member of the Azimio 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," he remarked.

The order reverses a decision that was passed on Monday, July 10, by the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT), which threw out Kioni and Murathe from their positions at Jubilee.

Viral Tea could not however independently establish if the High Court's ruling overrules the Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu's gazetting of the new Jubilee party leadership.

Nderitu on Wednesday, July 12 gazetted East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega as the new Jubilee Party Secretary General replacing Kioni, as well as the following changes to Jubilee; Eldas MP Adan Keynan will be the National Chairperson replacing David Murathe, Kitui South MP Rachel Nyamai the new National Treasurer and Isiolo Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya will be 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.