Murathe: Jubilee to initiate recall of Kega, Chege

The future of East African Legislative Assembly Member Kanini Kega and nominated MP Sabina Chege now hangs in the balance after Jubilee party threatened to recall them.

The former ruling party led by retired President Uhuru Kenyatta is embroiled in leadership tussles with two factions fighting for its heart and soul.

Even before the matter is resolved and after the Registrar of Political Parties asked the warring factions to resolve the wrangles internally, a group allied to Uhuru wants Kega and Chege recalled.

David Murathe, the legally recognised Jubilee vice chairperson and Uhuru's confidant has revealed plans to kick out Chege and Kega from the National Assembly and the regional parliament.

Murathe argued that the party will in the next few days initiate steps to revoke the duo's nominations, saying they have contravened the party constitution and the laws governing political parties.

"We cannot have our member nominated and even appointed as whip, only to whip for the other side. Once a member has shifted allegiance like in the case of Kega and Chege, they are deemed to have resigned from the nominating party,'' Murathe said.

"Azimio had dewhiped Chege as deputy minority whip and speaker Moses Wetangúla should effect the changes. We are now going to initiate the process of revoking her nomination to the National Assembly.''

However, Murathe's push may not be a walk in the park as a majority of the National Executive Council members are loyal to the Kega faction.

Past bids by other parties like ODM to revoke nominations of rebel MPs flopped after courts thwarted the moves, making a recall such a toll order.

A resolution to recall members must be ratified by the NEC, a key party organ with sweeping mandate but now disloyal to Uhuru.

Murathe argued that Kega was nominated to EALA through Azimio but since he has decided to work for Kenya Kwanza, then they will initiate steps to recall him.

''He was nominated for election by Jubilee and was elected on the Azimio ballot,'' he said.

"If he has joined Kenya Kwanza, we will demand his recall to send a new name to EALA to propagate their agenda."

Embattled Jubilee secretary-general Jeremiah Kioni was also on the list for the EALA nomination but lost to Kega after the bicameral house voted separately.

Murathe said they will send to Parliament a single name to avoid subjecting the nominee to a vote. Both houses must approve such a nomination.

However, the EALA nomination rules state that one can cease to be a member of the regional parliament through death or resignation with their term almost guaranteed.

In case of a recall, the process must be initiated through parliament in one's country before the speaker formally notifies the speaker of EALA in writing.

Previous attempts by East African Community member states to recall their representative have flopped for allegedly contravening the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.