The Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu on Wednesday, May 24, distanced herself from taking any political side in making decisions concerning the leadership of the troubled Jubilee party.
Nderitu stated that a legal team had been constituted to further investigate and look into documentation submitted by members of the Jubilee Party.
Further, she explained that the team would also investigate whether the Jubilee’s National Delegates Convention (NDC) was held lawfully or unlawfully.
According to Nderitu, the decision to affirm the leadership of Sabina Chege as party leader and Kanini Kega as Secretary General was informed by legal procedures.
“We have our legal team looking at those documents and other matters involving the party. The leaders should put their political differences aside so that we can make a lawful decision,” she stated.
She noted that the Kanini Kega-led team followed the right procedure to submit their documentation adding that they also upheld the party laws.
"The decision is from the party and our part is just to confirm whether the process has been followed and as far as we agree then we continue with the action.
“We only confirm whether the process and they have followed their own party constitution and they have also followed the Political Parties Act. So the decision is actually not ours,” Nderitu added.
Earlier, the Azimio leaders called for the resignation of Nderitu alleging that she was not making decisions by the book.
Led by former Ndaragwa Member of Parliament Jeremiah Kioni, the team accused Nderitu of informing the party of her decision that ousted Kioni as Secretary General late adding that she falsified the document.
"Falsifying government documents is a criminal offence and this lady is clearly guilty of a criminal offence. She has continued falsifying those documents and that is what has sustained these unnecessary coup attempts that you are seeing," Kioni stated.
Kioni claimed that Nderitu had been given direction by President William Ruto on how to proceed with the matter to ensure that Kenya Kwanza had superiority in parliament and amend the constitution.
In a letter dated May 19, Nderitu stated that Jeremiah Kioni was duly expelled and deregistered from the party adding that the leadership of Sabina Chege as party leader and Kanini Kega as Secretary General was lawful and approved.
"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," the letter from ORPP read in part.
