Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu says his legal challenge before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) is not a political vendetta against former President Uhuru Kenyatta or the party’s new leadership, but a fight to protect internal democracy and the rights of ordinary party members.
Documents filed before the tribunal show that Wambugu has named Jubilee Party as the first respondent, alongside former President Uhuru Kenyatta, also the Jubilee Party leader, the two Deputy leaders, Fred Matiang’i and Jeremiah Kioni, party Secretary General Moitale Ole Kenta, and his deputy Zack Kinuthia, among other top officials.
The matter was scheduled for mention on July 2 before the PPDT in Nairobi after the respondents entered an appearance through their lawyers.
Although the list of respondents includes some of Jubilee’s most influential figures, Wambugu is keen to frame the dispute as a constitutional question rather than a personal political contest.
In a statement released on Thursday after the matter came up before the tribunal in Nairobi, the former legislator said the case seeks to determine whether political parties can disregard their own constitutions and internal procedures while expecting members to simply accept decisions made by party elites.
“As you are aware, the legal challenge I filed to defend transparency, internal democracy, and the rights of Jubilee Party members is formally before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal,” Wambugu said.
He argues that the dispute revolves around principles of governance, transparency and accountability within political parties.
“This case has never been about personalities. It is about principles,” he said.
According to Wambugu, the petition questions whether party officials can assume office before legal processes are concluded, whether members can be denied access to information, and whether constitutional procedures inside political parties can be ignored for administrative convenience.
“Our position remains straightforward. Political parties belong to their members—not to a few individuals,” he stated.
The former MP added that leadership should be earned through constitutional processes rather than appointments that bypass party rules.
He argues that the case outcome could shape how all political parties conduct internal affairs, particularly on issues touching on members’ participation, access to information, and fair governance.
“This case is bigger than Jubilee Party. It is about strengthening internal democracy in all political parties and affirming that members have enforceable rights to information, participation and fair governance,” Wambugu said.
The legal battle comes at a time when the Jubilee party continues repositioning itself ahead of 2027 following the entry of former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i into its ranks and ongoing efforts to reorganise its leadership.
While the tribunal has only dealt with procedural directions so far, the substantive hearing is expected to determine whether Jubilee complied with its constitution and the Political Parties Act in making the contested decisions.
For now, Wambugu says he intends to pursue the matter through legal channels.
“I remain committed to pursuing this matter respectfully, peacefully and through the rule of law,” he said.
