Kanini Kega Applies To Withdraw Jubilee From Azimio

UPDATE: The Jubilee Party faction led by Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni on Tuesday, June 13 flagged EALA MP Kanini Kega’s notice to withdraw from Azimio la Umoja Coalition as fake.

In a statement, Kioni insisted that Jubilee was part and parcel of the Azimio coalition and that members who are displeased with its operations are urged to quit.

"Jubilee Party is in Azimio to stay. We kindly request those who feel tired of this cause, to walk away quietly into a party where they will be more comfortable," stated Kioni.

East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega on Tuesday, June 13 announced that he had applied to withdraw the former ruling Jubilee Party from the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

In a statement, Kega revealed that the move was as a result of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolutions on Tuesday, June 6.

He added that the party had endorsed the decision to withdraw from the Deed of Agreement for Azimio.

"Take notice the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Jubilee Party meeting of 6th June 2023 resolved to withdraw from the Deed of Agreement for Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition.

"Further, take notice that pursuant to Article 33.1.1 & 2 of the Party Constitution as read together with Article 22.1. of the Deed of Agreement for Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition dated 12th March 2022 Jubilee Party hereby gives notice to withdraw from the Deed of Agreement for Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition," read the statement.

The withdrawal is the second time Jubilee is attempting to leave the Azimio la Umoja coalition, coming four months after the Uhuru Kenyatta-led party resolved to initiate the process of exiting the Raila Odinga-led coalition.

Jubilee's NEC had on Friday, February 10 expressed its plans to exit the Azimio coalition, and that they would not participate in their anti-President William Ruto protests.

"The National Executive Committee commences the process of exiting the Azimio coalition. The National Executive Committee engages with the ruling coalition on the possibility of creating a working cooperation arrangement with it.

"The National Executive Committee demands that Jubilee Party be recognized as a Parliamentary Party with all the rights and benefits accruing thereto taking into account that Jubilee Party is the third largest party in Parliament," read a statement from Jubilee party.

During the same announcement, the party had suspended former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni as the Secretary-General, with Kega taking his place, a matter which sparked a row between Kioni and Kega for months.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta was involved in efforts to resolve the row in his capacity as party leader but was ousted from the position by Kega who appointed nominated MP Sabina Chege in his position. 

As a consequence, Uhuru used a National Delegates Convention (NDC) held at Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi on May 22 by the Kioni faction to crack the whip on rogue members alleged to have flouted party rules.

Among those kicked out by Uhuru included Kega, Naomi Shaban, Jimmy Angweny, former Buuri MP Boniface Kinoti and Joshua Kutuny. 

Kega consequently revealed through an Inooro FM interview on May 30 that he would host another National Delegates Conference (NDC) in June and invited Uhuru to attend.

Raila on his part threatened to resume protests if Ruto continued to interfere with political parties, which was one of the demands made by the coalition during the bipartisan talks before it began to collapse.

The former Prime Minister was the victim of a mass exodus as several MPs decamped to join Ruto, who beat him in the 2022 general elections.