Jubilee Party Row: Uhuru Faction Accuses Kega Of Defying Court Orders
Uhuru's Jubilee faction had on Friday, October 6 accused its rival of carrying out its businesses at the helm of the party despite several court orders stopping them from doing so.
Marvin Chege 
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee Party has filed a petition at the High Court in Milimani, Nairobi against the rebel group led by MPs Sabina Chege (Nominated) and Kanini Kega (East African Legislative Assembly).
Uhuru's Jubilee faction had on Friday, October 6 accused its rival of carrying out its businesses at the helm of the party despite several court orders stopping them from doing so.
"Yesterday, we filed a contempt case at the Milimani High Court against the rebel grouping. Despite multiple court orders, the rebels continue to carry themselves as party officials, conduct business on behalf of the party, and create confusion amongst our members," read a statement from the party.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta at Jubilee Party Headquarters on April 26, 2023. /JUBILEE PARTY
Lady Justice Janet Mulwa ordered that the motion, which was certified urgent, be served to all parties involved. The hearing has been scheduled for October 23, 2023.
On Thursday, July 13, the High Court 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.
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 reversed 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.
Nderitu on Wednesday, July 12 gazetted 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.
The Registrar also gazetted Bahati MP Irene Njoki, nominated senator Margaret Kamar and Nyamira County Woman Rep Jerusha Momanyi as Jubilee Party National Executive Committee (NEC) members.
The wrangles pitting Kioni and Kega began shortly after the 2022 general elections when both factions claimed authority as leaders of the former ruling party.
The party led by Uhuru was in support of Azimio la Umoja party’s Raila Odinga, who lost the election to President William Ruto.
After Ruto’s swearing-in, Kega announced himself as the new Secretary General, suspending Kenyatta’s confidant Kioni and Murathe as well as mobilising a section of party officials, including Sabina Chege, and switching alliance to Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party.
Uhuru quickly moved to secure the reigns of the party and re-establish party discipline by expelling the rebels, but Kega's team has been defying the expulsion.
