NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 10 — A storm is brewing in the once powerful Jubilee Party after a section of its members announced the ouster of its Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni.
The apparent coup came moments after disciplinary letters emerged in which Kioni asked lawmakers who visited President William Ruto at State House to show cause for their actions.
The Ruto-leaning faction which named EALA MP Kanini Kega as Acting Secretary General co-opted four new members into the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) in a move expected to further weaken the Kioni faction.
The Kega-led group conspicuously omitted former President Uhuru Kenyatta from the list of expelled officials.
Capital News saw disciplinary letters addressed to Nominated MP Sabina Chege, Former Eldas MP Adan Keynan, Former Wajir Women Rep Fatuma Dullo and EALA MP Kanini Kega.
“By associating herself with the Kwanza faction, the 1st Respondent has proved to be disloyal to the Jubilee party, 2nd Respondent herein, which is firmly in the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition as provided for under the article 13.3.1.d of the Jubilee Constitution,” the letters read.
Azimio membership
The Kioni faction faulted the lawmakers for skipping the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya rallies deliberately and further criticizing the ongoing Azimio “liberation rallies” convened by Azimio leader Raila Odinga.
“By failing to attend to Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party activities, the 1st Respondent has exhibited a lack of respect to decisions of the 2nd Respondent and its organs as provided for under article 13.3.1.i of the Jubilee Constitution,” the notices read.
The Kega-led faction however suspended Kioni, Vice Chair David Murathe and National Treasurer Kagwe Gichohi.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan was named acting Vice Chairperson while Kitui Women Representative Rachael Nyamai was appointed National Treasurer.
The interim officials are expected to assume office pending the outcome of the internal dispute resolution mechanism after hearing the cases against the expunged officials.
Further, the Kega axis initiated the process to detach Jubilee Party from Azimio.
In a resolution reached by the party’s top organ, the political party is expected to hold a Special Delegates Convention in six months to ratify the decision.
The convention is further expected to give a nod for the political outfit sign a cooperation working agreement with Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
“The National Executive Committee engages with the ruling coalition on the possibility of creating a working cooperation arrangement with it,” NEC stated.
