Retired president Uhuru Kenyatta has moved in to reclaim the sharply divided Jubilee Party with two rival factions claiming to be legitimate party officials and read a riot act to dissatisfied rebel party members led by Kanini Kega and Sabina Chege to quit the party peacefully.
The president expressed support to party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni’s led faction saying the party is firm and will not condone any form of disunity.
“I was called by the SG (Kioni) and he informed me of what’s happening. I said I have to come to stand in solidarity with him and party members to protect our party.” Uhuru said while inside the party headquarters.
He arrived shortly after violent and chaotic scenes played out at the Kileleshwa party headquarters where the East Africa Legislative Authority (EALA) MP Kega, nominated Member of Parliament (MP) Sabina Chege alongside Eldas MP Aden Keynan tried to storm the party offices to no avail accompanied by youthful men who pelted stones to police and their rival camp members.
Uhuru, who is also chairman of the Azimio One Kenya coalition’s supreme decision-making organ –the council, said party members must uphold the law in settling disputes.
“We want our rights. When they attempted to take over our party, we followed the law until we got justice. Why must they storm here to create chaos?” He posed.
He called for peaceful co-existence among Kenyans and warned against being incited to turn against each other.
“Let us follow the law and live peacefully. There is no need of inciting a group of people against others,” He added.
Uhuru asked the Kenya Kwanza government to respect and leave the Jubilee Party alone, just as he has respected that they are in power.
“When Kenyans made a decision last year, as leaders who were in power then, accepted that decision, move on and handed over power, we also want them to respect our rights as members of our party.” Uhuru added.
