Tribunal Suspends Jubilee-Kanu Coalition Agreement

The post-election agreement signed between Jubilee Party and Kenya African National Union (Kanu) last week has been suspended.

The deal was temporarily put on hold by the Political Parties Disputes Resolution Tribunal on Tuesday, May 12th following an appeal filed by Jubilee deputy secretary-general Caleb Kositany (Soy MP), Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali, and Jubilee treasurer Albert Mutai.

“(The Jubilee-KANU coalition deal) violated Article 10, 38, 73 and 91 of the Constitution of Kenya, the Political Parties Act, Regulation 21 of the Political Parties (Registration) Regulations 2019 and Article 32.2 of the 1st Interested Party’s Constitution and any decision emanating therefrom is invalid, illegal and had no effect in law,” the order by the tribunal reads.

Jubilee secretary-general Raphael Tuju, Jubilee chairman Nelson Dzuya and the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu have been cited as respondents in the matter that has been certified as urgent.

Jubilee Party and Kanu have been listed as the 1st and 2nd interested parties respectively. The respondents were asked to file their responses to the pleadings within seven days of service.

A virtual hearing of the matter is scheduled for May 21st, 2020.

On Monday, a Parliamentary Group meeting held at State House, Nairobi ousted Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and Senator Kihika as Senate Majority Leader and Majority Whip respectively.

Murkomen was replaced by West Pokot Senator Samuel Poghisio of Kanu while Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata replaced Kihika, a move that has angered Deputy President William Ruto’s camp.

The new changes were approved by Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka on Tuesday, May 12th.