The High Court in Nairobi on Monday overturned the decision of a wing in Jubilee Party to expel its former leadership in charge of the affairs of the party at the helm of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s reign.
The High Court ruled that Jubilee Vice Chairperson David Murathe will continue to legally hold his position in the party despite a decision by some members to expel him.
Justice Janet Mulwa also gave Jeremiah Kioni powers to continue acting in the capacity of Jubilee party’s Secretary General, a ruling that is set to end the protracted political power battle within the party.
‘’Victory as High Court rules that Jubilee Party belongs to Uhuru Kenyatta. Justice Janet Mulwa also nullified the Kanini-Sabina-led NEC that purported to remove Jeremiah Kioni, David Murathe, and Treasurer Kagwe Gichohi,’’ Jubilee party shared in a statement.
A photo of the rebranded Jubilee party logo at their former headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi county.
The Standard
Jubilee Party has been facing wrangles after a section of leaders affiliated with the wing led by Sabina Chege (who sought to replace Uhuru Kenyatta) and East Africa Community lawmaker Kanini Kega (taking over from Kioni) staged a takeover of the party.
The staged takeover also removed former President Uhuru Kenyatta from the position of party leader, a decision that sharply divided the party.
The takeover pitted two sides claiming the leadership of the party structures with two factions emerging to claim the positions.
The factions allied to Kioni and Murathe had moved to court to seek an order directing the reversal of the leadership of the party.
Justice Mulwa also directed the disputing parties to bear the cost of the legal proceedings on their own, meaning that neither Chege’s nor Kioni’s faction will bear the legal costs on their own in entirety.
‘’The appeal No. E630/E635 of 2023 has been allowed in its entirety. Each party has to bear its own costs,’’ the ruling read in part.
In her ruling, the judge, however, declined to hold Kanini Kega, Sabina Chege, and Joshua Kutuny in contempt for unlawfully performing the duties of the party without legal backing.
Sabina Chege’s faction however did not give a comment on the next course of action that they will take in regards to the ruling.
EALA MP Kanini Kega (left) and nominated MP Sabina Chege (right) during an event at Jubilee Headquarters on April 19, 2023.
Photo
Kanini Kega
