This archive report was first published on 12 May 2020.
May 13, 2020 - Nairobi, Kenya. The Political Parties Disputes Resolution Tribunal has temporarily suspended a coalition deal between the ruling Jubilee Party and KANU, pending a case filed against it.
The petition was filed by Senators Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Caleb Kositany (Soy), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), and Albert Mutai, who are seeking an injunction to restrain Jubilee Secretary General Raphael Tuju and acting party Chairman Nelson Dzuya from making any coalition agreements on behalf of the Jubilee party.
The Tribunal's Deputy Registrar issued an order suspending the agreement signed at State House during a Parliamentary Group Meeting chaired by President Uhuru Kenyatta, which stripped Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen of his Majority Seat and Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika's Majority Chief Whip post.
According to the order, the respondents are restrained from making coalition agreements on behalf of the Jubilee Party without a valid formal resolution on a duly convened National Executive Committee.
The changes in Senate leadership have been largely seen as aimed at trimming Deputy President William Ruto's influence in the Senate to size.
Senator Murkomen has dismissed the Senate leadership changes as null and void, stating that 23 Jubilee senators did not receive a formal invitation to attend the meeting, and that the Parliamentary Group meeting convened by President Kenyatta fell short of provisions of the Senate Standing Orders.
