Former Nyeri Town Member of Parliament Ngunjiri Wambugu has filed a case before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal seeking to suspend recent changes to the Jubilee Party leadership.
In his suit, Wambugu challenges the legality of the officials recorded under Gazette Notice No. 5749, arguing that the process leading to their recognition was procedurally flawed and violated statutory and constitutional provisions on fair administrative action.
The contested changes saw former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i listed as the party’s Deputy Secretary General, alongside other officials recognised by the Registrar of Political Parties as duly appointed office bearers.
Wambugu has applied for conservatory orders to suspend and restrain the implementation of the changes, pending the determination of his complaint. He has named the Registrar of Political Parties, Matiang’i, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Vincent Mogaka Kemosi, Moitalel Ole Kenta, Zack Kinuthia, Yasir Noor, and Dann Mwangi as respondents in the case.
According to court documents, Wambugu contends that despite lodging a statutory objection to the proposed changes, the Registrar proceeded to adopt and record them without affording him an opportunity to be heard.
“Despite the Applicant (Ngunjiri) being the party who lodged the statutory objection, the 2nd Respondent (Registrar of Political Parties) proceeded to adopt and record the impugned changes without notifying, consulting, hearing, or seeking clarification from the Applicant regarding whether the dispute had in fact been resolved,” the application reads.
He further alleges that there may have been a misrepresentation to the Registrar suggesting that his concerns had been settled, even though discussions were still ongoing and no substantive resolution had been reached.
“The 2nd Respondent failed to undertake due diligence or independently verify whether the Applicant’s objection had been resolved prior to effecting the changes in the register,” the documents state.
Wambugu argues that unless the tribunal intervenes urgently, the implementation of the disputed changes could significantly alter the party’s management structure and render his complaint ineffective.
He is seeking orders to suspend, stay, and halt the recognition and implementation of the contested changes pending the full hearing and determination of the case.
“Pending the hearing and determination of the complaint herein, this Honourable Tribunal be pleased to restrain the Respondents, whether jointly or severally, from implementing, operationalising, effecting, recognising, gazetting, validating, or in whatsoever manner giving effect to the impugned changes of officials in any manner proposed by Gazette Notice No. 5749 of the 1st Respondent (Jubilee Party),” the application states.
Wambugu also seeks to bar the respondents from assuming office, acting, or presenting themselves as duly elected or appointed officials of the Jubilee Party.
The case, filed under Sections 20 and 40 of the Political Parties Act and constitutional provisions on fair hearing and political rights, is scheduled for directions on June 5, 2026.
