Ruto allies' short-lived victory after tribunal suspends deal

Senators allied to Deputy President William Ruto (pictured) had a short-lived victory before the Senate Speaker delivered the final blow that signalled their loss yesterday.

The senators had rushed to the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal and obtained orders suspending the post-election coalition agreement between Jubilee Party and Kanu, which invalidated the deal that led to removal of Kipchumba Murkomen and Susan Kihika from the House leadership.

The deal between Jubilee and Kanu led to the ouster of Murkomen as majority leader. He was replaced by West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio while Kihika was replaced as majority whip by Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang'ata.

In the application filed before the tribunal by Kihika, Jubilee Deputy Secretary Caleb Kositany and Mumias West MP Benjamin Washiali claimed the ouster was illegal and did not follow due process.

Tribunal Chairperson Desma Nungo, in his ruling, suspended the political pact between Jubilee and Kanu, pending determination of the dispute.

“In the interest of justice an interim order is issued declaring that any decision founded on the coalition agreement purportedly signed between Jubilee and Kanu and deposited by the registrar of political parties is null and void,” ruled Nungo.

Nungo also restrained Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju and Chairman Nelson Dzuya from making any coalition agreement on behalf of the party without valid and formal resolution by the National Executive Committee.

The petitioners argued that the coalition agreement was entered in contravention of the law and without consulting majority of the Jubilee Party members.

They said the coalition agreement was not sanctioned by the party or its decision making organs and that the process leading to the formation was unlawful.