High Court bars Kanini Kega from taking the reins of Jubilee Party

EALA MP Kanini Kega and nominated MP Sabina Chege. [File, Standard]

High Court has issued orders barring new Jubilee party leaders from taking office after the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) cleared them.

PPDT confirmed Kanini Kega as Jubilee Party Secretary General while upholding the decision by the party's National Executive Committee to suspend Jeremiah Kioni, David Murathe, and Kagwe Gichohi.

In the ruling made by Justice Asenath Ongeri on Thursday, July 13, the court also halted the suspension of Kioni, Murathe and Kagwe Gichohi from the party.

"In the meantime, conservatory orders are granted in terms of prayers 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the application dated 12/7/2023" Justice Ongeri ruled.

High Court froze the PPDT's decision made on Monday, July 10, after the tri and the Jubilee Court filed for an appeal in court two days later.

In their suit, the Kioni-led faction of Jubilee wanted the courts to quash the PPDT decision as well as the gazette notice confirming the same.

Additionally, they had asked the courts to declare the PPDT decision null and therefore set aside in the fresh suit.

They also wanted the case to be declared a mistrial, a new trial began and the case assigned to a judge bench.

"The Honourable court be pleased to declare a mistrial and consequently order a new trial pursuant to Order 42 rule 26 of the civil procedure rules before a bench other than Hon. Wilfred Mutubwa, Hon. Theresa Chepkwony, Hon. Abdirahman Abdi Abdikadir and Hon. Muzna Mohamed Yusuf Jin." Court documents read.

In its decision, the tribunal had also affirmed Kanini Kega-led faction's move to initiate action against errant party members; therefore, nullifying the decisions of the meeting convened by the Kioni faction and attended by former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Jubilee's wrangles began shortly after the 2022 General Election period when some of its members shifted allegiance from the Azimio Coalition to the ruling Kenya Kwanza Coalition.

The move did not sit right with the Oaty's leadership and some unsuccessful ouster attempts were made against former Murang'a Woman Representative Sabina Chege.

As a result, the party has been in a long-running battle on who gets control of the party, a battle that has pitted former President Uhuru Kenyatta's allies against the nominated EALA MP's faction.