Former ruling party Jubilee has filed a petition at the Milimani High Court in Nairobi against Nominated MP Sabina Chege and her EALA counterpart Kanini Kega.
The retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s faction in the party is accusing the two of continuing to pose as officials before the leadership wrangle is settled.
Lady Justice Janet Mulwa certified the petition as urgent, which she said should be served to all parties involved. The hearing has been scheduled for October 23, 2023.
"The court has considered the motion dated October 3, 2023, and is certified of the urgency. Let it be served on all parties and return for hearing interpartes on October 23, 2023," Mulwa stated.
After filing the petition, the Uhuru-led faction notified its supporters on social media.
“We filed a contempt case at the Milimani High Court against the rebel group. Despite multiple court orders, the rebels continue to carry themselves as Jubilee Party officials, conduct business on behalf of the Party, and create confusion amongst our members,” a statement read.
The petition has cited as Jubilee Party of Kenya and Kagwe Gichohi and two others versus the National Disciplinary Committee of Jubilee Party and Joshua Kuttuny.
Jubilee has been faced with leadership wrangles for months now as two groups claim to be bona fide officials of the party.
One group has remained loyal to Raila Odinga-led Azimio la Umoja coalition while the other shifted allegiance to President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza.
A good number of MPs have since shifted loyalty to Ruto, cementing his ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition’s dominance in the 349-member house.
After the elections Kega announced himself as the new Secretary General, edging out former Ndaragua MP Jeremiah Kioni from the position.
Chege has said that she did not run away from the Azimio la Umoja Coalition, but chose to focus on the needs of the people she represents in Parliament.
“My team and I in Jubilee chose the path to reconciliation because we believe in the bigger picture. I want to ask other MPs to reconcile with me,” Sabina said during the National Prayer Breakfast on June 7, 2023, at Safari Park Hotel.
Several former Jubilee legislators, who have been strong critics of the President Ruto administration and supported Raila in the last polls have also thrown their weight behind Ruto.
The leaders promised to respect the voters’ will in the last election and support elected leaders to serve the people.
