East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) MP Kanini Kega's Jubilee Party faction on Tuesday announced its withdrawal from the Deed of Agreement for Azimio la Umoja One Kenya.
In a statement he signed as the Jubilee National Secretary General, Kega gave the expected climax from his faction after months of a power struggle that has left the once-dominant party split in two and left a pale shadow of its former self.
However, the Eala MP's stance to pull out of Azimio now complicates matters for Nominated MP Sabina Chege who is the National Assembly Minority Deputy Whip. It will be difficult for Ms Chege to whip the minority side and sit with the opposition.
"The National Executive Committee (NEC) of Jubilee Party meeting of June 6, 2023, resolved to withdraw from the Deed of Agreement for Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition," stated Kega.
The Eala MP's remarks come even as the question over the rightful leadership of the party lies in limbo at the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) and at the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
On May 23, the PPDT issued interim conservatory orders that barred the RPP, Anne Nderitu from taking any action against Jeremiah Kioni after she acknowledged that the party's National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) adhered to due process in the expulsion of Kioni and David Murathe on May 10.
"The tribunal is now ordering that until the hearing and determination of the application, the RPP is prohibited from "acting on any communication from the Jubilee Party and Interested parties purporting to expel the Kioni from the membership of the Jubilee Party," ruled the tribunal.
Last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta chaired the Jubilee National Delegates Conference (NDC) where they resolved to expel members working with Kenya Kwanza Alliance, reconstitution of the NEC and a confirmation that the party continues to be a constituent member of Azimio.
However, what followed was the Kega faction announcing its own NDC on July 22. The Eala MP who has declared support for President William Ruto rejected the credibility of the NDC held by Uhuru alleging that it did not pull in registered Jubilee party delegates.
"We wish to inform our members that the purported changes in the leadership of our party made at the said meeting are of no legal consequence," he said.
"We are going to involve our people from the constituency to the country level to make sure that the people who come for the NDC are the genuine Jubilee delegates," he added.
The Eala MP argued that his faction already enjoys majority support with 33 out of 34 Jubilee MPs in Parliament expected to attend the NDC.
"We have the entire NEC save for one or two. We have 127 MCAs and 100 have confirmed they are coming," he said.
He said that the party has informed the National Assembly Speaker that the Jubilee leadership in the House is unchanged, including the position of deputy Minority Whip held by Chege.
However, Kega's stance to pull out of Azimio and to the Nominated MP hold the House leadership position on the minority side creates a hypocritical picture that has had former President Kenyatta ask the faction to exit the party if they are dissatisfied.
"If you can't defend the interest of Jubilee, then stand aside and we will look for those who can do that job. If you've had a change of heart, do the respectful thing, just go and leave us in peace and relinquish the seats we gave you so that we can give them to others," said Uhuru during the NDC.
If the proposed development gains momentum, Azimio finds itself standing at the precipice of a challenging political future. With a minority stake in Parliament, the party is poised to face further setbacks, particularly if its second-largest coalition partner decides to sever ties. The looming prospect of such a departure raises significant concerns for Azimio, as it navigates an increasingly uncertain political landscape.
However, with a case before the PPDT and with the order maintaining the status quo which recognises the leadership of the Jeremiah Kioni-led team, only time holds the tale of Jubilee's fate.
