NYERI, Kenya, Feb 15 – Former Kieni Member of Parliament Kanini Kega has defended the recent visit by a section of Jubilee party leaders to State House, saying the decision was for the sake of the country’s stability.
The lawmaker who has since been nominated to the East African Legislative Assembly also told off those reading betrayal in the visit insisting that the party will continue supporting the government of the day as long as it works in changing the lives of the ordinary Kenyans.
He dismissed leaders of Azimio coalition for castigating the Jubilee lawmakers, accusing them of double speak arguing that opposition MPs and Governors have also met with the Head of State in a bid to lobby for development projects in their areas.
“We visited the Head of State House since we do recognize and acknowledge Dr. William Ruto as the duly elected President of the Republic of Kenya following the confirmation of his victory by the Supreme Court last year,” he said.
“Be as it may, going to meet Dr. Ruto does not in any way imply we have moved out of Jubilee but rather a deliberate decision in cognizance to the fact that our people need development and provision of vital services,” he added.
On Wednesday last week, over 30 Jubilee MPs met with President Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua at State House and pledged to support the government in achieving its goals under the Kenya Kwanza manifesto.
Led by Eldas MP Adan Keynan, the lawmakers also vowed to distance themselves from the ongoing nationwide protests being spearheaded by Azimio coalition leaders led by Raila Odinga, Martha Karua and Kalonzo Musyoka to enable Dr. Ruto fulfill his electoral pledges.
Kega, while disclosing the reasons for severing ranks with their Azimio partners claimed they have been marginalized almost in all key decision-making meetings including being shortchanged in key Parliamentary appointments.
He argues that for a former ruling party that once boasted of having 175 MPs to remain relevant in coming years, the members need to put their money where it counts saying such a possibility cannot be realized under the umbrella of Azimio coalition.
“We need to have a candid discussion as members of Jubilee Party on the way forward in regard and from where the rains started beating us,’’ he said. “During its heyday, the Jubilee party once had 175 elected legislators but today that number has shrunk to only 28 MPs,” he added.
“In the Azimio Coalition, we are being treated as members from a nondescript entity despite being the party with the second largest number of representatives in parliament,” he claimed.
“This is one reason that has pushed us into looking for a place where our presence matters and where we are accorded the respect due to us,” he argued.
And in regard to the fate of suspended party officials, Kega clarified that none of the said leaders has been removed from his position.
The lawmaker who has since been named as the party’s acting Secretary General clarified that only the National Delegates Conference can strip an official of his or her seat.
“No official has been removed from his seat but the National Executive Council only met and discussed the conduct of the officials before issuing summons to leaders which they need to read and respond to,” he noted.
“And everything in regard to the final decision was carried out in tandem with our party’s constitution and the same has been acknowledged as binding by the office of the Registrar of Political Parties,” he affirmed.
Yesterday, the Registrar of Political Parties Ms. Ann Nderitu ratified Jubilee Party NEC decision in suspending three officials over allegations of indiscipline.
During the NEC meeting held in February 2023, the party’s vice chair David Murathe, Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni and National Treasurer Kagwe Gichohi were stripped off their leadership positions awaiting the final ratification by the NDC after six months.
Besides Kega, others who were appointed to run the affairs of the party in an acting party include Eldas MP Adan Keynan (acting vice chair) and Kitui Woman Representative Rachael Nyamai (National Treasurer).
