Sonko hints at ditching Jubilee should party mess primaries

Sonko hints at ditching Jubilee should party mess primaries

Nairobi Senator, Gidion Mbuvi alias Mike Sonko, who is eyeing the city gubernatorial seat, has threatened to ditch Jubilee Party should the nomination process be flawed.

Speaking to Citizen Digital Friday, March 24 morning, Sonko said that he will leave the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led party if he loses the nomination ticket in a manner deemed not free, fair and transparent.

Sonko, who wants to unseat the incumbent, Governor Evans Kidero, says that the anti-party hopping law – which was passed by Parliament late last year, is not a hindrance to anyone who wants to decamp after the nominations as there is a case already in court challenging the same.

Late February, the Council of Governors moved to court to challenge the law barring party hopping.

Governors argued that the law is unconstitutional as it limits freedom of persons to make political choices.

The Council of Governors want Section 28 of the Elections Amendment Act of 2017 declared unconstitutional and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) barred from implementing the anti-hoping law.

According to court papers, Governors argue: “By denying members of a political party the right to freely move from one political party to another, the law limits the right to political participation and association.”

According to the contested law, aspirants who lose at the nominations stage have no window to move to other political parties.

On February 23, High Court Judge, John Mativo, stopped IEBC from implementing the party hoping law until the case filed by Council of Governors is heard and determined.

“Pending the hearing of this application an order be issued staying the implementation of Section 28 of the Elections Act No.24 of 2011(Amendment) Act.2017),”read the petition.

The governors further argued that the Act contains a problematic and unconstitutional Section 10 (which replaces Section 28 of the Election Act 2011) which was designed to tame party hoping.

The Council of Governors further argued that the clause limits the freedom of association of Kenyans as provided for under the Article 36 (1) of the Constitution.

Sonko now says that until the case is heard and determined, he can jump ship and join a party of choice if the nominations are botched.

According to sources, Sonko – if dissatisfied with the nomination process – may join the Wiper Party which is led by former Vice President and National Super Alliance (NASA) co-principal, Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka.

Sonko and former Starehe Member of Parliament, Bishop Margaret Wanjiru, say they will run as a ticket ahead of the Jubilee primaries.

The duo further told Citizen Digital that whoever wins in the primaries will pick the other as running mate, exuding confidence of winning the Jubilee governor ticket in credible nominations.

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