Update: Jubilee Party faction led by Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni on Tuesday, June 13, distanced itself from EALA MP Kanini Kega’s notice to withdraw from Azimio la Umoja Coalition terming his statement fake.
Kioni insisted that Jubilee was still an affiliate party of Azimio and called on its members allied to the ruling Kenya Kwanza Coalition to quit.
“Jubilee Party is in Azimio to stay. We kindly request those who feel tired of this cause to walk away quietly into a party where they will be more comfortable,” Kioni stated.
East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega on Tuesday, June 13, Announced that he had applied to withdraw Jubilee Party from the Azimio la Umoja Coalition.
In a statement, Kega disclosed that the move was a result of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) resolutions on Tuesday, June 6.
“Further take notice that pursuant to Article 33.1.1 and 2 of the Party Constitution as read together with Article 22.1. of the Deed of Agreement for Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition dated March 12, 2022, Jubilee Party hereby gives the notice to withdraw from the Deed of Agreement for Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition,” read part of Kanini Kega’s statement.
Kega added that the party’s NEC unanimously endorsed the withdrawal decision after analysing the agreement vis a vis its political goals.
“Take note the National Executive Committee (NEC) of Jubilee Party meeting of June 6, 2023, resolved to withdraw from the Deed of Agreement for Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition,” the statement added
The withdrawal application came amidst a series of wrangles within the party involving two factions, one led by Jeremiah Kioni, the embattled Jubilee Secretary General, and the other by Kega.
Speaking on Inooro FM on May 30, Kega, talked about inviting former president Uhuru Kenyatta in another Jubilee Party's National Delegates Conference (NDC).
Despite their differences in political ideology, Kega acknowledged Uhuru’s influence in the party despite having appointed nominated MP Sabina Chege to replace him as party leader.
This was after the Jeremiah Kioni-led faction held a party NDC at Ngong Racecourse, Nairobi on May 22, that was graced by the former president.
Uhuru had used the NDC event to crack the whip on members perceived to have contravened the party regulations.
Among Jubilee party members kicked out by Uhuru were Kanini Kega, Naomi Shaban, Jimmy Angweny, former Buuri MP Bonface Kinoti and Joshua Kutuny.
On the other hand, Azimio Leader Raila Odinga on May 4, accused President William Ruto of being behind the escalating Jubilee party wrangles.
"Kenya Kwanza administration’s interference with the Jubilee party management affairs is a ploy to weaken affiliate parties within the opposition coalition party,” lamented Raila during a press briefing in Nairobi.
Raila’s intervention emerged after the Kanini Kega Jubilee party faction on May 2, ousted Uhuru Kenyatta as party leader and appointed nominated MP Sabina Chege in his position.
