The Jubilee Party Headquarters is set to be closed for one week to allow for fumigation of all offices according to the party’s Vice-Chairman David Murathe.
According to the outspoken party official, the decision to fumigate the offices had been necessitated by Deputy President William Ruto’s visit on Thursday, October 1.
The DP stormed the offices located at Pangani, Nairobi, and held a meeting with more than 30 lawmakers.
Murathe said the DP and his allies did not observe Covid-19 protocols, adding that the party cannot take chances over fears of infection.
"We are fumigating the offices today and therefore no one is expected to be in. Last week, more than 20 MPs converged there and knowing that they do not adhere to the protocols set, we cannot take chances," Murathe said as quoted by People Daily.
The Vice-Chairman added that the offices will be a no-go zone during that period.
The announcement is a big blow to a section of the DP's allies who had vowed to storm to the party headquarters this week after Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju announced that the Ruto will not be allowed at the offices.
In an explosive statement on Friday, the SG stated that the party's National Management Committee had advised the National Executive Committee (NEC) to strip DP Ruto of his position as the Deputy Party Leader.
Tuju gave a litany of reasons mostly bordering on the DP's failure to support his boss, President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“It is disturbing that the Deputy President invites this same retinue to the Party Headquarters to give them a platform to increase polarisation in the Party.
“Indeed, that move of inviting MPs allied to him almost created an ugly confrontation with close to 40 MPs not allied to him who also wanted to storm the headquarters,” the statement read in part.
However, the DP allies have maintained that nobody has the power to deny Ruto or party members the right to visit the headquarters.
“Jubilee is a political party, not a religious cult. The thinking that its leader is supreme is not only superfluous but hollow to the core. Members of the party are at liberty to direct the party to the course they deem fit. Watch out for the next few days,” Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot told the Standard.
Jubilee Party Deputy Secretary-General Caleb Kositany promised heightened political activities this week.
However, Murathe has downplayed the threats, saying that all members will be allowed to access the party offices as long as they follow protocol.
