Uhuru Blocks Sabina Chege's Jubilee Team From Leaving Azimio

The Jeremiah Kioni-led faction of the Jubilee Party on Monday, June 19 got a reprieve after the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) issued orders barring the Kanini Kega-led faction from holding its parallel National Delegates Conference (NDC) and withdrawing the party from the Azimio la Umoja coalition.

The tribunal had issued the staying order pending the hearing and determination of the cases filed before it.

In the complaint filed by Kioni, David Murathe and Kagwe Gichohi, the Jubilee party moved to the PPDT on grounds that the Kega faction refuted earlier court directions that the status quo be maintained and no person is authorized to issue a communication on behalf of the party other than Kioni.

PPDT chairman, Desma Nungo, also issued conservatory orders staying the letter from the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) that upheld the ouster of Kioni and Murathe as secretary general and vice chairperson, respectively. 

However, both the Kioni and Kega factions were blocked from representing the Jubilee Party in what was viewed to be a decision arrived at to protect the tribunal from accusations of bias and favouritism.

"That pending the hearing and determination of the Complaint and Applications filed herein, inter partes, interim conservatory orders are hereby issued restraining all parties hereto and/or their representatives jointly and severally from issuing any communication and/or making any public representations on behalf of the Jubilee Party...

"...and further staying communication dated June 6 and 13 issued by Kanini Kega (3rd respondent) and any other communication and/or decisions that may have been issued and/or taken by any of the parties hereto on behalf of Jubilee party during the pendency of these proceedings," Nungo ruled.

The tribunal's decision also bars Nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Sabina Chege from assuming the reins as Jubilee Party leader, meaning President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta remains the defacto party leader until the matter is settled. 

"Pending the Application inter partes hearing and determination, interim conservatory orders are hereby issued staying the Respondents’ decision embodied in the letter dated May 19, 2023," PPDT added. 

The Kioni faction claimed that the Kega faction released two notices seeking to withdraw the party from Azimio Coalition and to hold a special National Delegates Convention (NDC), adding that the two notices are weighty decisions that bear far-reaching ramifications on the party and should therefore await court judgments on whether the Kega faction has authority to issue the said notices.