President Ruto meets Jubilee MCAs at State House, Nakuru

President William Ruto on Thursday morning met a section of Jubilee MCAs across the country.

Over 120 MCAs are reported to have attended the meeting which took place at State House, Nakuru.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and United Democratic Party secretary general Cleophas Malala also attended the meeting.

Former Kieni MP Kanini Kega, Eldas MP Aden Keynan, and Nominated MP Sabin Chege are among the MPs who also graced the meeting.

Since the beginning of 2023, the former ruling party has been divided creating two factions; one allied to Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and the other one towards President William Ruto.

Following the State House meeting in February, more Jubilee MPs pledged to work with the government, causing a division in the party.

This was despite Jubilee being a member of Azimio which is led by opposition chief Raila Odinga.

As a result, On May 22, 2o23, the former President summoned Jubilee delegates for a special NDC at the Kenya International Convention Centre which was cancelled by Kega.

It was then that EALA MP Kanini Kega and Nominated MP Sabina Chege were expelled as Jubilee lined up new National Executive Committee members.

Embattled Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni said the new members will replace members who have joined the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

They included Jamleck Kamau (national director of elections), Maison Leshoomo (national women’s league chairperson), Agnes Thumbi (national youth league leader) and Nderitu Mureithi (business council leader).

Other nominated members were Beatrice Gabo (deputy party leader strategy), Maoka Maore (deputy party leader operations), David Manje (deputy party leader operations), Kados Muiruri (deputy party leader outreach), Saitoti Torome (chairman), Yasin Noor (deputy secretary general) and  Pauline Njoroge (deputy organising secretary).

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta then asked the MPs including Sabina Chege and Kanini Kega to resign from their seats.

He said the two can no longer continue to enjoy the fruits of the party.

"Just move and leave us be in peace. And those seats that we gave you, please return them and we give them to others," Uhuru said.

What followed next was the pro-Ruto Jubilee MPs meeting on June 6, 2023, which resolved to exit the Azimio Coalition partnership in a National Executive Committee meeting.

On June 13, they issued a notice of intent to withdraw from the coalition but the decision remained suspended.

This was after the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal barred the Jubilee rebel faction led by EALA MP Kanini Kega and nominated MP Sabina Chege from acting on behalf of the Jubilee party.

The Tribunal in a directive to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties also stopped the outfit's decision to exit Azimio.

The order also barred the Kega side from transacting on behalf of the party.

The matter is still active in court following an application made by the other Jubilee faction led by Kioni.