Murkomen and Kihika Can Now Breathe Easy As Kanu-Jubilee Deal Is Suspended

Kipchumba Murkomen and Susan Kihika were stripped off their roles as Majority leader and Majority Chief Whip after a Jubilee coalition Senate Parliamentary Group Meeting that was held on Monday to form a coalition between the Jubilee Party and KANU (Kenya African National Union).

The Political Parties Disputes Resolution Tribunal has suspended the coalition deal between Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee party and Gideon Moi’s KANU.

This was after a few members moved to the tribunal to challenge the coalition. The Jubilee deputy secretary general Caleb Kositany, Senator Susan Kihika, MP Benjamin Washiali and Albert Mutahi tabled their case before the tribunal challenging the coalition agreement.

They argued that the coalition violated articles 10, 38, 73 and 91 of the Constitution of Kenya. They also argued that the coalition was against regulation 21 of the political parties regulations 2019 and articles 32.2 of the Jubilee Party Constitution.

The tibunal issued an order restraining restraining party secretary general Raphael Tuju and acting party chairman Nelson Dzuya from making any decision on behalf of the party without a valid formal resolution of a convened National Executive Committee of Jubilee Party.

“An interim order be and is hereby issued restraining the 2nd and 3rd respondents from making coalition agreement on behalf of the first interested party, Jubilee Party, with any party/parties without a valid formal resolution of a duly convened National Executive Committee of Jubilee Party,” read the stement

“(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 interim order will remain in effect until a duly convened National Executive Committee (NEC) approves the pact.

If the decision to strip them off their powers remain, then Murkomen and Kihika will lose the privileges that come with their titles.

Murkomen has been the Majority leader while Susan Kihika the Majority Chief Whip. Murkomen has dared the president to deliver to the people of Kenya now that he is out of the way.

The matter will be heard on May 21st at 2.30pm.