President William Ruto convened a crucial meeting on Thursday with over 120 Jubilee Party Members of County Assembly (MCAs) from across the country. The gathering, held at State House, Nakuru, witnessed the presence of high-profile figures, including Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, United Democratic Party Secretary-General Cleophas Malala, and former Kieni MP Kanini Kega, among others.
The political landscape within the erstwhile ruling Jubilee Party has been tumultuous since the onset of 2023, with a clear divide emerging between factions loyal to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and those aligning themselves with Deputy President William Ruto.
The schism became more apparent following a contentious meeting at State House in February, during which a faction of Jubilee MPs pledged allegiance to the government, causing internal strife. Notably, this divergence occurred despite Jubilee being a member of the Azimio Coalition, spearheaded by opposition chief Raila Odinga.
The internal strife reached a climax on May 22, 2023, when former President Uhuru Kenyatta summoned Jubilee delegates for a special National Delegates Conference at the Kenya International Convention Centre. However, the meeting faced an abrupt cancellation by Jubilee MP Kanini Kega, resulting in the expulsion of EALA MP Kanini Kega and Nominated MP Sabina Chege from the party. The move aimed to pave the way for new National Executive Committee members as a response to the defections to the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
President William Ruto’s meeting with Jubilee MCAs intensifies party divisions. Expulsions, replacements, and a failed Azimio Coalition exit highlight the internal strife. Legal battles ensue, threatening party coherence.
Jubilee’s Secretary-General, Jeremiah Kioni, confirmed the replacements, including figures such as Jamleck Kamau, Maison Leshoomo, Agnes Thumbi, and Nderitu Mureithi, among others. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta, frustrated with the discord within the party, publicly urged MPs, including Sabina Chege and Kanini Kega, to resign from their seats, asserting that they could no longer benefit from the party’s support.
The aftermath witnessed a gathering of pro-Ruto Jubilee MPs on June 6, 2023, during which they decided to sever ties with the Azimio Coalition. This resolution was officially communicated on June 13 when they issued a notice of intent to withdraw from the coalition. However, this decision faced a temporary suspension after the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal intervened, preventing the Jubilee rebel faction led by Kanini Kega and Sabina Chege from acting on behalf of the party and halting their exit from Azimio.
The ongoing saga has now found its way into the courts, with a legal battle ensuing between the two Jubilee factions. The faction led by Jeremiah Kioni seeks to challenge the actions of the pro-Ruto group and maintain the party’s cohesion amid the turbulent political landscape.
As the political drama unfolds, the Jubilee Party, once a powerhouse in Kenyan politics, finds itself grappling with internal dissent and external challenges, setting the stage for a potentially transformative period in the country’s political history.