NAIROBI, Kenya — The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) has nullified the appointment of Moitalel Ole Kenta as Secretary-General of the Jubilee Party, dealing a fresh blow to the party’s efforts to reorganise ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a ruling delivered on Friday, the tribunal found that Kenta was not a registered member of Jubilee Party at the time of his nomination and appointment, making him ineligible to hold the position under the party’s constitution.
The tribunal declared the nomination, appointment and subsequent recognition of Kenta by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) unlawful and void.
The decision followed a case filed by former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who challenged a series of changes to Jubilee’s leadership.
Wambugu welcomed the ruling, saying the tribunal had established that Kenta was not a registered Jubilee member when he was appointed and faulted the Registrar for failing to exercise an adequate oversight role.
“Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) nullifies appointment of Hon Koitalel Ole Kenta as Jubilee Party Secretary General for not being registered party member. Faults Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) for failure to play oversight role on this,” Wambugu said in a statement shared on Friday.
Dispute over Jubilee leadership changes
Kenta was appointed Secretary-General in January, replacing former Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni, who subsequently moved to the position of Second Deputy Party Leader.
Jubilee said the changes were part of efforts to strengthen the party’s grassroots structures and position it for future elections.
The leadership changes later came under challenge after the Registrar approved and recorded the new officials.
Wambugu argued that he had raised objections to the proposed changes but was not given an adequate opportunity to respond before the Registrar recognised the new officials.
His case brought several senior Jubilee officials and party leadership changes under scrutiny, including Kenta’s appointment.
The tribunal had earlier certified the matter as urgent and directed the respondents to respond before the dispute proceeded to a hearing.
Tribunal rejects some of Wambugu’s claims
While the tribunal ruled against Kenta’s appointment, it did not uphold all of Wambugu’s challenges.
The panel dismissed several claims concerning the eligibility of other Jubilee officials, finding that some of the allegations were speculative or insufficiently supported by evidence.
It also declined to uphold a challenge based on the gender rule, saying the allegation had not been sufficiently established.
The ruling therefore specifically invalidates Kenta’s nomination, appointment and recognition rather than automatically nullifying every leadership change challenged in the case.
What the ruling means for Jubilee
The decision leaves Jubilee facing the prospect of restarting the process of selecting and appointing a Secretary-General in accordance with its constitution.
The development comes at a difficult time for the former ruling party, which is attempting to rebuild its political structures and strengthen its position ahead of the 2027 elections.
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Jubilee has also been dealing with internal disagreements over its leadership and political direction.
Earlier this month, the Registrar of Political Parties declined a request by Jubilee parliamentarians seeking to leave the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance coalition, directing them to follow the procedures provided under the coalition agreement and the party’s internal mechanisms.
The party has also faced defections and competing political interests as opposition parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
The latest tribunal ruling adds another layer to those internal challenges, with Jubilee now required to address the Secretary-General position while continuing its broader efforts to reorganise and mobilise ahead of the next general election.
