The ongoing infighting within Jubilee continues to unfold in public as supporters of Acting Secretary General Kanini Kega and Jeremiah Kioni clashed outside the party headquarters in Nairobi.
On Wednesday, April 26, tensions escalated, prompting police to lob tear gas canisters to disperse the warring factions who had forcefully tried to storm the party's offices.
The incident occurred as Kega and Kioni were scheduled to meet to address their differences, following a directive from the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) that the two parties resolve their issues internally.
The two are fighting on who should take over the party's SG position.
The Desma Nungo-led tribunal discharged the orders that had reinstated Kioni's team. Kega had replaced Kioni as the party's acting Secretary-General.
"The issues underlying this appeal are internal issues between the party and its membership... The Tribunal can only assume jurisdiction once the attempt at the internal dispute resolution mechanism is demonstrated," ruled the tribunal.
Several people were on Wednesday arrested as police engaged with supporters in running battles.
Standard Group journalist Samson Wire sustained injuries as supporters engaged police in stone-throwing. Rival factions clash at Jubilee Party headquarters in Kileleshwa, Nairobi. [Samson Wire, Standard]
Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi and Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang, who rushed to the scene, condemned the incident and called for a peaceful dispute-resolution process.
"Jubilee remains a coalition member of Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya, and therefore, we have a duty to ensure honor is maintained in the party," said Wandayi.
The fighting comes against the backdrop of yet another confrontation between the two leaders attending a four-day People Dialogue Festival at the Museums of Kenya in Nairobi on Wednesday, March 9, 2023.
The disagreement arose over who should represent Jubilee in the meeting.
The situation almost escalated into a physical fight, forcing police to use tear gas to disperse the supporters.
