Former President Uhuru Kenyatta's impromptu visit to Jubilee Party on Wednesday, April 26, to quell leadership chaos attracted support and ire from different political divides including Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua and Senator Samson Cherargei.
Cherargei, in a statement, slammed the former Head of State for getting involved in the leadership wrangles in the Jubilee Party.
He argued that one of the factions within the former ruling party, led by Kanini Kega, had resolved to work with President William Ruto and challenged the former President to keep off.
“Uhuru should be made aware that the Jubilee Party has resolved to work with the Kenya Kwanza Government.
“He is the chair of Azimio-OKA council not party leader of Jubilee or shall be removed. This is just pure hatred towards Ruto and the government. He must also pay taxes from (his) vast companies,” noted Cherargei in a statement.
On the other hand, Karua, who is the Azimio La Umoja Deputy Principal and NARC Kenya Party Leader, upbraided the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome for allowing police officers to storm the Jubilee Party headquarters.
"I have seen the order from the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) which clearly vacates the ruling by the Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) that purported to give a faction powers over the offices. It means that the status quo remains that Jeremiah Kioni was the Secretary-General. It also meant that those dissatisfied should consider internal dispute resolution mechanisms.
"Coming with a battalion of police officers to forcefully take over the party headquarters and offices is not only a breach of the court order but also a violation of the Constitution," stated the former Presidential running mate.
Karua further argued that some of the rioters had ignored a court order terming the move as a direct attack on multi-partyism.
“This is a direct attack on multi-partyism and declaration of war against the Azimio la Umoja coalition," Karua stated.
Former Mukurweini legislator, Kabando Wa Kabando, who was a staunch supporter of Uhuru and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga before decamping to Ruto's camp, weighed in on the debate and called out Uhuru for stooping below his stature.
“Rais (President) Uhuru, you presided (over) a smooth, democratic transition from 4th to 5th. That earned you a great roll of honour even after wasting a historic chance for an exemplary legacy.
“Please stop stooping so low by embroiling in nasty, petty squabbles in a Jubilee that's as dead as dodo,” Kabando stated.
Uhuru had visited the Jubilee Party headquarters in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, where he stamped his authority as the party leader and encouraged party members to protect their party from political raids.
The wrangles at Jubilee Party headquarters pitted Kanini Kega supporters against those of Jeremiah Kioni. The Kega-led faction had accused Kioni of hogging the offices and locking them out.
The two leaders are squabbling over who should serve the party as the Secretary-General.
On February 8, 2023, 30 Jubilee members met President William Ruto at State House and pledged to support the government which precipitated the leadership wrangles in the former ruling party.
