Jubilee Party suspends three Nairobi MCAs

Jubilee has suspended three Nairobi County MCAs for three months for undermining the party.

The ward representatives have also been de-whipped for six months from all the committees where they served at the Nairobi County Assembly.

The decision follows a disciplinary hearing on Friday at the party's headquarters in Pangani, Nairobi.

The three MCAs, Ann Thumbi, Silvia Museiya and Millicent Jagero, were found guilty of undermining the Jubilee leadership,  the party's position regarding Nairobi County 2020/2021 financial year budget estimates and going against the party's code of conduct.

"The charged members are suspended from Jubilee Party for a period of three months in accordance with article 13.4.1(a) as read together with regulations 54.1(b) of Jubilee Party National Disciplinary Committee regulations of 2017," said   Mr Lumatete.

"The charged members are de-whipped in accordance article 13.4.1(a) as read together with regulations 54.1(b) of Jubilee Party National Disciplinary Committee Regulations 2017 from all the committees of Nairobi County Assembly in which they serve, for a period of six months," he added.

Mr Lumatete said a detailed ruling will be delivered within 14 days in accordance with regulation 5 of the Jubilee Party National Disciplinary Committee regulations of 2017.

The party summoned the three nominated ward representatives on Tuesday for going against the party’s position in a number of issues at the assembly.

The three were accused of going against the party's position regarding a memorandum by Governor Mike Sonko on his refusal to assent to the Nairobi City County Appropriation Bill, 2020;  opposing and frustrating the budget estimates for the Financial Year 2020-21, contrary to the party’s position.

They were also accused of undermining the Jubilee Party leadership at the national and county levels as well as associating with those opposed to the party’s position on 2020/2021 financial year budget.

The MCAs were among 27 city ward representatives who voted in favour of the governor’s memorandum that rejected the county’s Sh37.5 billion budget.

However, during the hearing Ms Thumbi, who was accompanied by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen said she was loyal to the party.  

 “I am loyal to the party and I have been supporting it. I will continue doing so by being loyal to the President and his deputy,” she said.

Ms Museiya claimed that the budget issue had been politicised. She alleged that she was paying the price of accusing some individuals of  using their party positions to promote their selfish interests.

“I actively participated in getting Majority Whip Paul Kados back to power when things were hard for the leadership at the assembly and I have no reason to defy the same leadership,” said Ms Museiya.

“I understand the importance of discipline and loyalty to the party but this does not negate my constitutional right,” she added.

On Wednesday, Ms Museiya and Ms Thumbi alleged that they were being punished for supporting Deputy President William Ruto as well as heir stand on the Building Bridges Initiative.