Has Deputy President William Ruto registered a new political party dubbed Jubilee Asili? Well, on Thursday June 18, 2020, the DP held a meeting with rebel Jubilee party lawmakers who were recently kicked out of parliamentary committees.
The meeting was held at a new office dubbed Jubilee Asili centre. His allies on Thursday afternoon took to social media to share the photos of the new office.
The DP also took to his social media to reveal details of the meeting that was held at the new office. However, there are notable changes between the new Jubilee Asili and the ruling Jubilee party.
Whilst the ruling party has the red and yellow colors with ‘Tuko Pamoja’ as a slogan, the Jubilee Asili wing has only maintained the handshake logo with yellow colors, and adapted ‘Sote Pamoja’ as a new slogan.
However, Ruto allies maintain that the office has been in existence for six months, and they say that it was established after they were denied access to Jubilee party headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi.
The Jubilee Asili Centre is located on Makindu Road, off Riara Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area.
At the new address, an elated DP hosted 20 Jubilee MPs, including those removed from parliamentary committees and leadership for supporting his presidential campaigns.
Outspoken Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, who was ousted from the Senate Majority leader, said they had opted to open new party offices to hold party meetings.
Has the second in command registered the new outfit with Registrar of Political parties?
The Standard Newspaper made an inquiry with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties if the rival Jubilee wing had reserved the name “Jubilee Asili”.
Registrar Anne Nderitu said by yesterday her office had not received any intention for reservation of the name.
“I am out of office already, and by the time I was leaving there was nothing like that,” said Nderitu.
Last evening Ruto allies went on a frenzy to share pictures of the new office. Up to 16 MPs allied to Ruto were de-whipped from various parliamentary committee leadership in the ongoing purge.
MPs Gladys Shollei (Uasin Gishu), Kimani Ichung’wa (Kikuyu) and William Cheptumo (Baringo North) lost their positions as chairpersons for Delegated Legislation, Budget and Appropriation and Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, respectively.
Others kicked out of the chairperson positions were Mandera South MP Ali Adan (Agriculture committee) and his Machakos Town counterpart Victor Munyaka (Sports, Culture and Tourism).
Sirisia MP John Waluke, Fred Kapondi (Mt Elgon) and Robert Pukose (Endebes) were also kicked out from vice-chairpersons of Committee on Administration and National Security, Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee and Energy Committee.
Other leaders formerly discharged were Kandara MP Alice Wahome (JLAC vice-chairperson), Joyce Chepkorir (Labour and Social Welfare vice-chairperson), Khatib Mwashetani (Lands vice-chair) and Catherine Waruguru (Services and Facilities vice-chairperson). Also discharged were Kuria (Transport vice-chair), James Lomenen (National Cohesion and Equal Opportunities vice-chair), Liza Chepkorir Chelule (Broadcast and Library vice-chair) and Cornelly Serem (Trade vice-chair).
Speaker Justin Muturi made communication to the House about the changes during yesterday’s session while confirming that the process of their removal complied with the relevant Standing Orders.
