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New twist in bipartisan talks as Jubilee protests exclusion

The party has threatened to move to court to stop the process if not included.

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by JAMES MBAKA

News10 May 2023 - 09:05
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In Summary


  • A faction led by Kanini Kega now wants the party represented in the talks that started on Wednesday.
  • The other camp led by Jeremiah Kioni is in support of the current composition.
Jubilee party Secretary General Kanini Kega when he addressed the press on February 15, 2023 at Jubilee new jubilee headquarters at dikdik gardens off mandera road./ KEITH MUSEKE

A faction in Jubilee has protested the party's exclusion from the bipartisan talks between the government and the opposition.

In a letter to the co-chairs of the committee George Murugara (Tharaka), and Otiende Amollo (Rarienda), the faction wants the talks halted until Jubilee is represented.

 

The letter by former Kieni MP Kanini Kega who has claimed the position of Jubilee secretary general is also copied to Speakers Moses Wetang'ula (National Assembly) and Amason Kingi (Senate).

"We write to protest the exclusion of Jubilee Party in the proposed membership of your committee," Kega wrote in the letter dated May 9.

Kega said after Eldas MP Adan Keynan stepped down after the leadership of the Azimio coalition protested his inclusion, Jubilee is not represented.

"As the third largest political party in Parliament, we strongly protest the exclusion of Jubilee Party in the committee," Kega said.

According to Kega, the proposed mandate of the committee will have far-reaching implications in the electoral processes in which Jubilee Party is a major stakeholder. 

"We accordingly demand that no further deliberations on the proposed bipartisan process should proceed before our party representation in the process is factored in," Kega said.

"Please take notice that Jubilee Party will seek legal redress within fourteen days from the date hereof in the event that the proposed bipartisan process proceeds without representation of our party.'"

Kenya Kwanza had replaced Keynan with Saku MP Dado Raso (UDA) after Azimio claimed that the Eldas MP could not sit in the talks as Jubilee is a member of Azimio.

The latest development could throw the talks into legal headwinds if Azimio does not factor in a Jubilee and the Kega faction moves to court.

Jubilee is one of the anchor parties of the opposition coalition although internal power wrangles have lately triggered factional wars.

Kega is allied to one faction that is led by former Murang'a Woman Representative Sabina Chege who was installed as party leader.

The other camp led by embattled secretary general Jeremiah Kioni is loyal to former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

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