Litmus test for Uhuru as divided Jubilee Party convenes NDC

This mirrors last year's events which saw Uhuru and Jubilee members attend the ODM NDC while Raila and allies attended Jubilee's. The secretary-general challenged "dissenting voices" within the party to attend the meeting and air their grievances.

"Anyone with dissenting views about this NDC should come here and challenge the former president and seek leadership positions within the party," said Kioni

This comes amidst a fierce power struggle that has left the party split in two with both factions claiming control of Kenya's third-largest party.

Similarly, the party's position in Azimio is being challenged after the faction led by Eala MP Kanini Kega pledged allegiance to President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza and are now claiming the party.

In a display of open defiance in Isiolo, on Sunday, Nominated MP Sabina Chege, Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) and Kega disowned today's NDC and called on Uhuru to quit active politics.

Preparations at Ngong Race Course ahead of Jubilee Party's National Delegate Conference. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

However, Murathe and Kioni dismissed their ouster, saying that only the legally recognised organs of the party have the authority to make such decisions. The former president intends to use the NDC to counter the coup against the party leadership by expelling Kega, Chege and other rebels aligned to Ruto.

Registrar of Political Parties (RPP) Anne Nderitu said that her office is handling the Jubilee leadership dilemma and will give feedback once all the documents are received.

"We have been receiving many fillings from the Jubilee Party. Once we receive all the documents we will sit down and evaluate and determine using the Political Parties Act and Jubilee Party constitution and other legal documents then get back to the party," said Nderitu.

RPP is also expected to look into the suspension of Uhuru as the party leader by the Kega faction. As the week unfolds, Nderitu's impending decision weighs heavily on the battered party, casting a shadow of uncertainty and potentially further extending the ongoing conflicts that have enveloped its ranks.

Also, at the centre of the brawl within Jubilee is the power to control significant financial resources, including a Sh135 million allocation by the National Treasury for the current fiscal year and an entitlement to Sh675 million over the next five years.