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President William Ruto, on Tuesday, May 23, accepted the resignation of Esther Ngero, Principal Secretary for Correctional Services, who quit office for personal reasons.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, the outgoing PS was recently reassigned from the State Department for Performance Management and Delivery Services in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary to the State Department for Correctional Services within the Ministry of Interior & National Administration.

Ngero was lauded for establishing the institutional framework to support the implementation of Public Service Performance Management and Monitoring for Ministries, State Departments, and State Agencies (MDAs).

"The Head of State has conveyed his gratitude to Ngero for her service to the nation and wished her the very best in all her future endeavours," the statement read in part. 

President William Ruto gives a speech during the centenary anniversary of Limuru Girls High School, Kiambu County, on May 20, 2023.

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A certified accountant by training, Ngero joined the ranks of Principal Secretaries in December 2022, after amassing an almost two-decades career in the petroleum sector.

She attained a Bachelor's Degree in Business Studies and Mathematics at Kenyatta University in August 2002. Then she pursued a professional certification in Petroleum Stocks Control and Management at the Kenya School of Petroleum Studies.

She ventured into the petroleum business in August 2004, joining the National Oil Corporation of Kenya (NOCK) as an assistant accountant. 

After two years, she jumped ship to Dalbit Petroleum Limited as Operations Manager. She rose to Chief Officer in the Petroleum Supply Chain and Trading department.

Her role involved ensuring efficiency across the company supply chain and optimizing the Group's petroleum business operations in Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Eastern and Southern DRC, Southern Sudan, Uganda and Mauritius.

After a 12-year stint at the company, she became the Chief Executive Officer of Janus Continental Group in January 2020, headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Ngero prides herself in managing highly effective and dedicated multicultural teams while ensuring strong collaboration and embedding a high-performance culture within a particular organisation. 

Ruto recently reassigned seven PSs in a reshuffle following the sacking of Public Health Principal Secretary Josephine Mburu over the  alleged impropriety within the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) 

Former Health Principal Secretary Josephine Mburu speaking at a conference on April 29, 2023.

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Josephine Mburu

Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta lost the battle over the Jubilee Party after the Office Of the Registrar Of Political Parties on Friday, May 19, confirmed that his wing was illegal. 

The Registrar Of Political Parties, Anne Nderitu, confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke that she addressed her directive to Joshua Kutuny, Deputy Secretary General of the Kanini Kega faction allied to President William Ruto. 

She also affirmed the leadership of Sabina Chege as party leader and Kanini Kega as Secretary General.

Likewise, ORPP noted that David Murathe, who served as Vice Chairman, had duly been expelled and deregistered as a member of the Jubilee Party.

A photo collage of Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta and Anne Nderitu who on Friday, May 19, 2023, advised on the Jubilee Party wrangles.

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"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, Hon. Murathe and suspended Mr. Kagwe. Following a review of the submitted documents in line with the PPA and the party constitution, this Office is satisfied that the party adhered to due process," read part of the letter from ORPP to Kutuny dated Friday, May 19. 

Nderitu also confirmed that Jeremiah Kioni was duly expelled and deregistered from the party. 

Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke Kutuny noted that, by way of the Office Of The Registrar Of Political Parties declaration, the National Delegates Conference held on Monday, May 21, at the Ngong Race Course was illegal.

"It, therefore, means that Uhuru-led National Delegates Conference and its resolutions are null and void," Kutuny stated, clarifying that Kega's wing was the legitimate leadership of the party," Kutuny stated. 

Uhuru had also affirmed that he would not be threatened to quit or retire, urging the President William Ruto faction led by Kanini Kega (EALA MP) to leave the party.

"I wanted to leave politics and deal with other issues and had hoped to relinquish my position in such an NDC, but some people have decided to issue threats and use violence against us.

Lawyer Ndengwa Njiru, had on Tuesday, May 23, hinted at moving to court to counter any plans to force Uhuru into retirement.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Former President Uhuru Kenyatta holding hands at the Jubilee Party NDC on May 22, 2023. President William Ruto speaking in Isiolo on May 21 (in a circle).

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Jubilee Party

Jubilee Party, Kenya's former ruling party, had been embroiled in leadership wrangles since the end of President Uhuru Kenyatta's second term in office. 

The wrangles began in earnest in April 2023, when Uhuru and Ruto's allies held rival National Executive Council (NEC) meetings. 

A majority of the party's elected officials attended Uhuru's NEC meeting, while a smaller group of loyalists attended Ruto's meeting.

The two factions have since been locked in a power struggle, with each side accusing the other of being illegitimate. 

Uhuru's faction had accused Ruto of trying to take over the party by force, while the Ruto-leaning outfit had accused Uhuru of trying to sideline it. 

A collage of Jubilee Vice Chair David Murathe (left) and the Party's Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni (right).

Kenyans.co.ke

President William Ruto, on Tuesday, May 16, nominated Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji, for the appointment as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS). 

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff, Felix Koskei, Haji would return to the NIS after a six-year tenure as the DPP. 

Before his role, he served as the Deputy Director of the Counter Organised Crime Unit within the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

Haji, upon confirmation, will succeed Major-General (Rtd) Philip Wachira Kameru, who is set to proceed on retirement. The President, however, did not nominate Haji's immediate replacement as DPP. 

From left: President William Ruto, his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta and outgoing NIS boss Philip Kameru at State House, Nairobi, in 2016

PSCU

"His Excellency the President has, in accordance with Section 7 (1) of the National Intelligence Service Act, nominated Mr Noordin Haji, CBS, for appointment as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS).

"Haji returns to the National Intelligence Service after a six-year sojourn as the Director of Public Prosecutions. Before becoming the nation's apex public prosecutor, Haji served as the Deputy Director of the Counter Organised Crime Unit within the National Intelligence Service (NIS)," Koskei stated.

Major-General (Rtd) Philip Wachira Kameru, EGH, the outgoing Director-General, has served as NIS Director-General since September 2014, transitioning from the military. He was appointed to the role by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

At the Kenya Defence Forces, he rose through the ranks to the position of Director of Military Intelligence. 

"Under his watch, Kenya's premier civilian intelligence agency has made monumental strides in the fight against terrorism, transnational crimes and other major threats to our national and regional security. 

"Maj-Gen (Rtd) Kameru has been at the forefront of guiding special security assignments and multi-agency coordination that have made Kenya, and indeed the region, more secure," Koskei lauded the outgoing NIS DG. 

Meanwhile, the DPP holds Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and Master of Laws (LL.M) degrees from the University of Wales, Cardiff, and a second Masters Degree in National Security Policy with Merit (MNSPO) from the Australian National University. 

Haji was admitted to the Bar in 1999 and, thereafter, joined the Public Service in January 2000 as a State Counsel at the Attorney General's Office.

Ruto passed the nomination to the National Assembly for consideration by Parliament as stipulated by the Constitution and the National Intelligence Service Act.

President William Ruto speaking during a Media Engagement, at State House, Nairobi on May, 14, 2023.

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President William Ruto on Monday, May 15, terminated the appointment of Josephine Mburu as the Principal Secretary, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards over the alleged impropriety within the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA).

In a statement signed by Felix Koskei, Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, the president also revoked the appointment of the chairperson and dissolved the entire board.

Consequently, the head of state appointed Irungu Nyakera as chairperson of the board and reconstituted the entire board with four new appointees namely FCPA Hezbon Oyieko Omollo, Bernard Kipkirui Bett, Dr. Jane Masiga and Jane Nyagaturi Mbatia.

The president also suspended Terry Ramadhani as KEMSA Chief Executive Officer alongside eight other staff members namely Martin Wamwea (MOH) and Lenson Kariuki (MOH). 
 

Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) facility in Nairobi on May 10, 2023.

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KEMSA

Others include Pauline Duya (MOH), Livingstone Njuguna (MOH), Dr. Charles Kariuki Chege (MOH), Justus Kinoti (KEMSA), Cosmas Rotich (KEMSA) and Anthony Chege (KEMSA).

At the same time, Ruto appointed Dr. Andrew Mutava Mulwa as KEMSA's Acting CEO.

The president directed the new management to assure the propriety of procurement processes within the Authority.

Ruto assured Kenyans that his government was committed to rebuilding the KEMSA supply chain management system to ensure effectiveness and accountability.

"Therefore, in keeping with the Administration's Health policy of "leaving no one behind", the Administration will spare no effort in rebuilding the KEMSA supply chain management system so as to secure efficiency and accountability in the provision of medical supplies to all health facilities across our nation," the head of state indicated.

Josephine Mburu was fired five months after assuming office. 

The news comes as The Global Fund was forced to cancel a Ksh3.7 billion mosquito nets tender owing to KEMSA's irregular procurement process.

This is after the foreign agency established that the three companies, which had been qualified by KEMSA, had improper bids. Further, the companies which were disqualified by KEMSA had met the requisite standards.

The tender process was flagged as the foreign agency faulted the tender committee for siding with some of the bidders.

Kenyans outside KEMSA offices in Nairobi.

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KEMSA

The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Sunday, May 14, released the new fuel prices for the next 30 days announcing the increase in fuel prices.

In its monthly review of the fuel prices, the authority noted that petroleum pump prices in Nairobi increased as follows: Super Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene by Kshs3.40 per litre, Kshs6.40 per litre and Kshs15.19 per litre respectively. 

EPRA also announced that the subsidy on Diesel and Kerosene was removed.

Thus Nairobi, petrol prices rose to Ksh182.70, Diesel increased to Ksh168.40 and Kerosene rose to Ksh161.13. 

A photo collage of President William Ruto speaking during the launch of a project in Nyandarua County on April 6. 2023 (left) and a petrol attendant about to refill a car at a petrol station on March 24, 2022 (right).

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PCS / ma3Route

In Mombasa, Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene rose to Ksh179.86, Ksh165.57 and Ksh158.30 respectively. 

Motorists in Nakuru will buy Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene at Ksh181.83, Ksh167.91 and Ksh160.65 respectively. 

In Eldoret, Petrol will sell at Ksh182.54, Diesel Ksh168.61and Kerosene at Ksh161.35. 

As per the EPRA release, some areas will buy petrol between Ksh184 to Ksh191. These areas include Meru, Chuka, Nanyuki, Mtito Andei, Kitui, Marsabit, Laisamis, Sololo, Dadaab, Elwak, Wajir, and Isiolo.

The new fuel prices released were for May 14, to June 14. 

In the last EPRA review between April 14 and May 14, the price of super petrol, diesel, and kerosene remained unchanged.

EPRA noted that the move was because the petroleum products had been subsidised to cushion Kenyans from high prices.

"In the period under review, the maximum allowed petroleum pump price of Super Petrol, diesel, and kerosene remain unchanged," EPRA announced in the statement.

As a result, Nairobi motorists paid Ksh179.30 for super petrol, Ksh162.00 for diesel, and ksh145.94 for kerosene per litre.

A petrol station attendant fueling a vehicle in April 2020.

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EPRA

The announcement came in the backdrop of Kenya receiving petroleum products in a new deal with a Saudi Arabian company and a Dubai-based company to supply oil to the country for a period of six months.

Government purchased oil at the same price on credit and remit in Kenyan shillings as a way of reducing the strain on the supply of the dollar.

The first fuel consignment under the new deal worth Ksh20 billion landed in the country in April 2023, with the latest consignment received on May 11, 2023.

“Two tanker vessels  Nan Lin Wan and Proteus Jessica docked at the New  Kipevu Oil Terminal with 100,000 metric tons of diesel and 85,979 metric tons of petrol respectively,” Kenya Ports Authority noted.

Jubilee Party, on Friday, May 5, applied to deregister the East African Legislative Assembly (MP) Kanini Kega and Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege from the political outfit. 

In a four-page letter, the Jubilee Party requested Registrar Of Political Parties Ann Nderitu to consider striking out the names of Kega and Sabina since they were in violation of the Constitution. 

The Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta's led party decided to terminate the membership of the two after they attempted to oust the Party Leader. 

Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni copied Kega and Sabina in the letter, informing them that their conducts were unattainable within the Jubilee Party. 

A photo collage of Jubilee Party SG Jeremiah Kioni speaking at an event on January 3, 2023 (left) and Kanini Kega speaking to the media on March 16, 2023(right).

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Jubilee Party / Kanini Kega

"This is to notify you that Honourable Kanini Kega has pursuant to Section 14 of the political parties Act No. 1 of 2011 as read together with Article 6 of the Jubilee Party Constitution ceased from being a member of the Jubilee party," Kioni stated. 

Kioni informed Kega that he was sent away for perpetual promoting of the ideologies, interests and policies of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and its affiliates. 

Jubilee Party noted that Kega's actions amounted to a violation of the law since their party did not have any coalition agreement with the UDA Party. 

"Honourable Kanini Kega has contravened the party's constitution and code of conduct by purporting to dislodge and/or overthrow the Jubilee Party leader herein being His Excellency Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta without following the due process as established under the Jubilee Constitution. 

The outfit also claimed that Kanini Kega had contravened the Jubilee Party Constitution by usurping the powers of the National Delegate Conference by conferring the Honourable Sabina Wanjiru Chege the position of Acting Party Leader.

"Kanini Kega has contravened the Jubilee's Party Constitution by conferring unto himself the position of the Secretary-General without following the due process as laid down under the Jubilee Party Constitution," read part of the statement. 

The same allegations were also levelled against Sabina Chege, who on Thursday, May 4, claimed to be the substantive Leader of the Jubilee Party in an acting capacity.

"Honourable Sabina Wanjiru Chege has violated the Jubilee Party Constitution by usurping the powers of the National Delegates Conference by creating a non-existing position of the 'Acting Party Leader' a preserve of the National Delegates Conference," read part of the letter. 

Kioni further accused Sabina of misleading the public and the Kenya National Assembly that she was the Acting Party Leader. 

Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege speaking during a workshop on Tuesday April 25, 2023.

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Sabina Chege

Jubilee Fails to Dewhip Sabina Chege 

On Thursday, May 4, National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula, announced that Azimio La Umoja was justified in dewhipping Sabina Chege as deputy minority whip, but erred while tabling her ouster motion.

Wetangula stated that Jubilee and Azimio failed to list Sabina Chege's immediate replacement. He thus offered the minority side 30 days to rectify their blunder. 

On the ouster of Uhuru as Jubilee party and subsequent replacement with Sabina Chege, Wetangula argued that he could not rule on the matter as it was outside his jurisdiction.

Kega, he stated, wrote a letter to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties seeking clarification on the changes. The ORPP, he added, was constitutionally mandated to address the matter. 

UPDATE: President William Ruto eulogised Mukami as a steadfast patriot and well-known champion for national unity who inspired many Kenyans.

Ruto stated that Mukami bore the scars of war along with other Mau Mau freedom fighters to reclaim Kenya's independence.

"After winning the war for independence, Mama Mukami was left behind to fend and win the struggle to provide for her children in the absence of Field Marshall Kimathi. In her characteristic way, she also won this war," Ruto stated.

Mukami Kimathi, the widow of freedom fighter, Field Marshal Dedan Kimathi, is dead.

DP Rigathi Gachagua interacts with Mukami Kimathi (far right) at a hospital in Nairobi on January 15, 2023.

DPPS

Her daughter, Evelyn Kimathi Wangui, on Friday, May 5, confirmed her demise while speaking to Kenyans.co.ke. Wangui stated that her mother passed away on Thursday night, May 4. 

The 101-year-old widow was declared dead while receiving treatment at a hospital in Nairobi after developing breathing difficulties.

"Yes, she is dead, and Kenyans are impatient. They have been calling all night to confirm the news. We are awaiting the president to announce since yesterday night.

"We were promised that he would announce. Kindly let him do so to calm the anxiety," an overwhelmed Wangui told Kenyans.co.ke. 

Mukami was among the Mau Mau freedom fighters detained at the  Kamiti Maximum Prison during the struggle for independence.

She was instrumental in the push that helped Kenya regain its independence from the colonialists. 

Mukami was key in successfully planning tribal dances, targeting young men and women. At this time, most men had taken refuge in the forest, or detention camps. 

Before her demise, Mukami had received financial aid from President William Ruto's administration, which helped her clear a Ksh1.3 million hospital bill.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revealed the financial aid after visiting her at a hospital in Nairobi.

"Thank you, President William Ruto, for coming through for Mukami Kimathi and her family. You are a true and genuine friend of our people," the DP wrote.

In her past media interview, she pleaded with the government to help her retrace Dedan Kimathi and give him a befitting sendoff.

A collage of President William Ruto (left) and Dedan Kimathi's widow Mukami Kimathi (right).

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Controversial pastor Ezekiel Odero was released on Ksh 1.5 million bail.

On Thursday, May 4, the court ruled that he could also pay an alternative Ksh 3 million bond.

Pastor Ezekiel was also barred from making comments in public about the Shakahola massacre while investigations are ongoing. The court further ordered him to report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) once a week. 

"Parties will be at liberty to apply for the closure of this file once the investigations are complete," the judge at Shanzu Law Courts ruled. 

Criminal lawyers, Danstan Omari (left) and Cliff Ombeta address the media, on Saturday, April 29, after they were hired to represent Pastor Ezekiel Odera in court

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Cliff Ombeta

His lawyers, Cliff Ombeta and Danstan Omari had pleaded with the court to reject the application by the police seeking to detain him for 30 more days. 

Police, on May 2, were directed to hold him for two days, pending a hearing on May 4. 

On Wednesday, May 3, the Court ordered the Inspector General of Police, IG Koome, to reopen Pastor Ezekiel's New Life Prayer Centre church. 

The Church was closed, on Thursday, April 27, after police arrested the deacon, charging him with terrorism, and indoctrination of the faithful and was also linked to the Shakahola massacre.  

Prior to the court ruling, police conducted a seven-hour search at the controversial pastor's home and church in Mavueni, Kilifi County, with his lawyer, Omari, claiming that they couldn't find any evidence. 

"They spent more than seven hours looking for graves that might have been dug within the compound, but there was none," Omari stated. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations did not release a statement to corroborate Omari's claims, raising questions on contempt of court.

Earlier on, Omari had admitted to Ezekiel's church recording 15 deaths, which he argued were reported at police stations, with occurrence books (OB) numbers available as evidence. 

Deacons and Ezekiel's followers, led by Maximum Miracle Centre's Bishop Pius Muiru, camped outside Shanzu Court, demanding his release. 

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his wife, Second Lady Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, also spoke on the Shakahola massacre, urging the police to crack down on controversial pastor, Paul Mackenzie, alone than other deacons. 

Interior CS Kithure Kindiki (centre) addresses the media with government pathologist Johansen Oduor (right) looking on in Malindi District Hospital in Kilifi County on May 1, 2023.

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Ministry of Interior and National Administration

Pastor Ezekiel was accused of being an accomplice of Mackenzie, alleged to be the mastermind behind the Sahakhola massacre.

Police also unveiled a Ksh3 million financial transaction between the two, with Ezekiel stated to have purchased a television station from Mackenzie. The TV was sold at Ksh500,000.

“If Paul Mackenzie is a criminal, he should be treated as an individual. Even his family should not be part of his crime. Paul Mackenzie is not the church. He has said he is not a pastor, but he is Mr Paul," Pastor Dorcas stated on Thursday, April 27, at an event celebrating widows in Kibra, Nairobi. 

"The case in Kilifi showed that, like any other segment of society, even the church has some wrong people. But we cannot condemn the entire church because of the activities of two or three pastors," his husband, DP Gachagua, added at a meeting with multi-sectoral leaders. 

Crackdown on Churches 

On Sunday, April 30, President William Ruto announced that measures were being implemented to crack the whip on rogue pastors in conjunction with spiritual leaders. 

"I will consult all religious leaders in the country to have a task force to weed out the characters who want to abuse religion or run businesses and do anti-religion things in Kenya," he warned during a church service at Makutano Stadium in Kapenguria, West Pokot County. 

Pastor Ezekiel of New Life Prayer Centre and Second Lady, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, at a crusade at Kasarani Stadium, Nairobi, in November 2022.

DPPS

Azimio la Umoja Coalition, headed by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, on Wednesday, May 3, suspended its countrywide protests scheduled for Thursday, May 4.

In a statement, the coalition noted that the decision was arrived at after a meeting encompassing its leadership following an earlier decision by Kenya Kwanza Bipartisan Committee to drop Eldas MP Adan Keynan from its line-up.

"This evening, the leadership of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party met and agreed to once more suspend the mass protests that we had earlier scheduled to continue tomorrow.

"The coalition took this step following the decision by Kenya Kwanza to accede to one of our demands that informed the resumption of mass action," read the statement in part.

Azimio Leader Raila Odinga addressing supporters in Murang'a County on April 20, 2023.

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Raila Odinga

Instead, the coalition invited its Bipartisan team for a meeting to strategise its approach before the next round of negotiations kick off.

"Instead of holding the protests, we have summoned our seven-member delegation to the bipartisan committee for fresh instructions to inform further engagement with the Kenya Kwanza side," added the Committee.

The coalition, however, reiterated that t might be compelled to return to the streets should its counterparts show the 'slightest indication of lack of goodwill and honesty.'

Earlier, the coalition, which held a series of protests across major towns of Nairobi and Kisumu on Monday, had expressed its willingness to return to the table if Keynan recused himself from the opponent's team.

The opposition faulted the ruling coalition for selecting the Eldas MP claiming that he was legally associated with the opposition due to his ties with Jubilee Party whose ticket he used to run for election.

Heeding to Azimio's demands, Kenya Kwanza, which had earlier defended its choice for Keynan, announced in a Wednesday evening press statement that it had engaged the lawmaker who agreed to take a step back from the negotiations.

Saku MP Diddo Raso was appointed to take his place.

"We have consulted with Hon Keynan and the Coalition's top leadership and the Hon Adan Wehliye Keynan has graciously agreed, in the country's greater interest, to recuse himself from the bi-partisan committee.

"We have nominated the Saku MP Dido Rasso to replace the Hon. Adan Keynan in the Bipartisan Committee," a statement signed by the Leader of the Majority in the National Assembly Kimani Ichung'wah read in part.

Part of Azimio's demands in the bipartisan talk is for the ruling party to lower the cost of living and provide access to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) servers for the verification of the August 2022 Presidential Election.

Tharaka MP George Murugara (left), Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale (centre) and Nominated Senator Esther Okenyuri (right) during a meeting on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

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Esther Okenyuri

Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege on Tuesday, May 2, was appointed Jubilee Party's acting leader to replace former President Uhuru Kenyatta. 

Speaking outside Jubilee party offices, East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega, allied to President William Ruto, affirmed the appointment in his capacity as Secretary-General. 

However, his position as secretary general is in a contest, as he has been fighting for the role with Jeremiah Kioni, allied to Uhuru. Both Kioni and Kega refer to themselves as Jubilee secretary generals. 

The appointment was part of the resolutions made during a meeting with the party officials. He added that a National Delegates Conference (NDC) convened by Uhuru was unconstitutional.

Nominated Member of Parliament Sabina Chege speaking during a workshop on Tuesday April 25, 2023.

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Sabina Chege

"We have 28 members, and today we held a meeting comprising 22 members with 3 apologies; hence our side is the majority. Hence, we resolved that the upcoming meeting constituted by Uhuru goes against our party's Constitution. 

"According to the Constitution, a retired president should not be involved in politics six months after leaving office. From the time he left office, his time lapsed in March 2023.

Kega confirmed that he still served as the Secretary-General, according to the resolutions made in the meeting. 

"Uhuru ceased from being the Jubilee party leader; hence he cannot run any party affairs. The statement he delegated concerning the meeting convention is null and void based on the Constitution. According to the party constitution, as the Secretary-General, I ought to be the one convening such a meeting.

"The NEC Committee resolved that Sabina will serve as the acting party leader until the time we convene a National Delegates Convention (NDC) where we will select the leader who will run the party moving forward," he pointed out. 

Kega questioned why Uhuru would invite Jubilee party officials, whom he claimed were suspended pending internal dispute resolutions. 

"The purported NEC meeting was not issued by the Secretary-General as required by the party constitution. It did not have a quorum as it had seven members as provided under Article 23 of the party constitution, three of whom are suspended pending the internal dispute resolution process. The three are Kioni, Murathe (party vice-chair) and Kagwe Gichohi (National Treasurer)," he stated. 

The legislator also dispelled reports of resignations from party officials presented to the Registrar of Political Parties - arguing that they were fake. 

Part of the resolutions involved suspending the notice Uhuru issued about an upcoming NDC meeting on May 22, 2023. 

Kega accused Uhuru of misconduct and referred his case to the national disciplinary committee for further action. 

He added that the party would issue a notice convening an NDC pursuant to resolutions of NEC dated February 10, 2023. 

The former president had convened a meeting to review, formulate and approve Jubilee party policies and also receive a status report from the National Executive Committee. 

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta (centre) and Jubilee Party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni (left) at the Jubilee Party Headquarters on April 26, 2023.

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Jubilee Party