This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
September 24, 2019 - The Jubilee party Bungoma branch is in disarray after a third official, David Sikuta, announced he has taken over as chairman. This development comes on the heels of a coup staged by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, who ousted John Waluke, the Sirisia MP.
According to the Jubilee party constitution, individuals in county assemblies are not allowed to hold positions in political parties. This has led to a power struggle between Barasa and Waluke, with both men claiming to be the rightful chairman.
Barasa has maintained that he had been at the headquarters and confirmed that his team had been registered, a claim that Waluke disputes. Waluke has argued that a meeting of subchairmen and party MCAs does not form a quorum to conduct an election or discuss any agenda.
Waluke has also stated that the party leader, Uhuru Kenyatta, had dismissed a ban on party meetings countrywide, adding that he did not know where Barasa got the nod to convene the meeting. Barasa, on the other hand, has said his election was final and urged Waluke to accept being led by other people.
Three subbranches have so far dismissed the meeting at Bungoma members club, citing similar reasons as to why it was a mockery of a democratic process.
