Reprieve for Uhuru As Political Parties Dispute Issues Directive Against Jubilee Ouster

Political Parties Dispute Tribunal has stayed the decision by Jubilee Party to expel Jeremiah Kioni and Murathe.

Earlier, the Registrar of Political Parties has ratified the decision expelling the duo from Jubilee Party

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal Court (PPDT) has blocked a directive from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) which allowed the ouster of Jeremiah Kioni and David Murathe from the Jubilee Party as its Secretary-General and Vice Chairman respectively.

PPDT Chairperson Desma Nungo in a statement on Tuesday, May 23 handed former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s party a temporary lifeline regarding the vicious scramble for its leadership.

The tribunal stopped Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu from ratifying Kioni and Murathe’s expulsion until a case filed at the PPDT scheduled on May 31, 2023, is determined.

“That Pending the hearing and determination of the Application inter partes, interim conservatory orders are hereby issued prohibiting the 2nd Respondent from acting on any communication from the 1st Respondent and Interested Parties purporting to expel the Complainant from membership of the 1st Respondent,” the court ruled in part.

Nungo resultantly directed Kioni to serve respondents and interested parties with the complaint notice within three days of the date hereof.

The PPDT Chair also directed the respondents and interested parties to file and serve their responses to the application within five days of the date of service.

Kioni had filed the Notice of Motion Application on May 19, and the matter was certified urgent for consideration ex-parte in this first instance only.

The ruling adds to the drama that ensued after Nderitu approved the ouster of Kioni and Murathe from the Jubilee Party as well as the suspension of Kagwe Gichohi.

“This Office notes that pursuant to the judgment in PPDT Appeal No. E001 of 2023 Hon. David Murathe & 3 Others vs Office of the Registrar of Political Parties & Another, the Tribunal observed the need to internally resolve the issues emanating from the Jubilee Party (JP) NEC meeting of 10th February 2023.

“It is further noted that the party concluded the disciplinary processes against Hon. Jeremiah Kioni, Hon. David Murathe, and Mr Kagwe Gichohi wherein they participated in line with Section 14B (2) of the Political Parties Act, 2011 (PPA). Consequently, the party expelled Hon. Kioni, and Hon. Murathe and suspended Mr Kagwe,” stated the letter in part.

The registrar also noted that she updated the records of the Jubilee Party members, thus removing the two.

The ORPP had previously ratified the decision by the Jubilee Party NEC to oust Kioni and Murathe on February 13 but their decision was suspended by the Political Parties Tribunal.

The ruling by the tribunal saw any changes aimed at restructuring the party following the exit of Kioni and Murathe halted pending the hearing and determination of the matter on February 24 and handing the duo a chance to retake the helm of the Jubilee Party from the splinter group.

Nderitu’s latest letter came a day after the former President Uhuru Kenyatta-led Jubilee faction expelled EALA MP Kanini Kega, Nominated MP Sabina Chege, Nelson Dzuya, Jimi Angwenyi, Naomi Shaban, Joshua Kutuny, Mutava Musyimi, and Rachel Nyamai during the party’s NDC held at Ngong Racecourse.