Confusion as Jubilee faction wants Sabina Chege to stay put

Nominated MP Sabina Chege. [Denis Kibuchi, Standard]

A faction of Jubilee Parliamentary Group (PG) has endorsed the resolution of its National Executive Committee (NEC), affirming Nominated MP Sabina Chege as the bonafide National Assembly Deputy Minority Chief Whip.

In a statement on Wednesday, October 25, the faction dismissed the appointment of Mark Mwenje by the Jeremiah Kioni-led faction, terming it as invalid, unprocedural, and contradicting the party's Constitution.

"The meeting held at Ngong Racecourse on May 22, 2023, at which the name of Mark Mwenje was endorsed, was declared null and void by the Internal Dispute Resolution Committee of Jubilee and the Political Parties Disputes Resolution Tribunal," the statement read in part.

According to the group, members should ignore a NEC meeting convened by Kioni slated for this Thursday, October 26.

"We have deliberated at length on the said notices and resolved that members of NEC should not attend any meetings called by Kioni for the reason that he [Kioni] has sued not only Jubilee Party but also the organs of the party and members of NEC individually," the statement signed by the Party chairperson Nelson Dzuya stated.

At the same time, the Jubilee faction also insists that Kioni has no legal, political, or moral authority to represent the party since he is expelled.

The group insists that only Samuel Arama who is the Parliamentary Leader of Jubilee in the National Assembly, can communicate the official party position to the Speaker.

The PG expects the Minority leader to table and communicate Jubilee's position on the floor of the House, pending a ruling by Speaker Moses Wetangula on the Minority Chief Whip position today.

In mid-June, Wetangula ruled that Nominated MP Sabina Chege retain her position as the minority deputy whip following a court order that had been issued barring her removal.