Jubilee national chairperson Nelson Dzuya has taken a swipe at retired President Uhuru Kenyatta over wrangles that have rocked the party.
In a statement on Thursday, Dzuya said it was unacceptable for Jubilee to continue being treated as a lesser partner in Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition.
“He has never called or chaired any organ of Jubilee Party since the National Delegates Convention (NDC) held on February 26, 2022," Dzuya said.
"It was therefore horrifying to see him emerge for the first time since that NDC in the manner which he did yesterday."
Uhuru made an unannounced appearance at Jubilee party headquarters on Wednesday as the infighting between two camps in the former ruling outfit spilled over.
He visited the party offices in Kileleshwa just moments after supporters of current officials led by EALA MP Kanini Kega and the faction loyal to suspended secretary general Jeremiah Kioni clashed.
On Thursday, Dzuya said the government has publicly pronounced that he is now enjoying retirement benefits in accordance with the Presidential Retirement Benefits Act.
“Section 6(1) of the said Act provides that a retired president shall not hold office in any political party for more than six months after ceasing to hold office as a president. By operation of the law, therefore, it can be argued that he is no longer legally the party leader of Jubilee,” he said.
“That said, this is probably a matter that ought to be considered by the relevant party organs and a decision made for the benefit of the members of our party."
Dzuya said former Ndaragua MP Jeremiah Kioni is hell bent on frustrating the operations of the party in the hope of escaping disciplinary process authorised by the National Executive Council.
“Yesterday, he tried to drag the retired President into his problems,” he added.
While at the party headquarters, the former head of state said he was briefed of the situation in the party and announced that he was rallying behind officials led by secretary seneral Jeremiah Kioni.
“He (Kioni) narrated to me what is happening and I assured him I will stand with him and our supporters to protect the rights of our party,” Uhuru said.
Dzuya added that the Jubilee agenda in Azimio had been weakening systematically over time.