Several roadblocks stand in the way of President Uhuru and his allies to kick out Deputy President William Ruto.
Jubilee Party constitution stipulates that national chairman Nelson Dzua is required to form a national disciplinary committee in consultation with the National Executive Committee.
But the Jubilee top officials have not met since 2017.
Failure by NEC to meet for the last three years has halted several agendas of the party including the report on five senators who made no show at the Parliamentary Group Meeting that was chaired by President Uhuru at the State House in May.
“The National Executive Committee shall meet once every four months, or as need determines. The party leader and deputy party leader may summon a meeting of NEC, or attend any meeting of NEC,” the party constitution says.
Members of the NEC include President Uhuru and his deputy William Ruto. Others are Dzuya, vice-chairman David Murathe, secretary-general Raphael Tuju, deputy secretary Caleb Kositany, the national treasurer, the deputy treasurer, the organizing secretary, and the deputy organizing secretary.
Others sitting in NEC include chairpersons of the party’s parliamentary caucuses, National Advisory Council members, both Senate and National Assembly Majority leaders, chairperson of the governors’ caucus, party Whips in both Houses, and secretary to the Parliamentary Group.
Others are the National MCA Caucus, Women’s League, Youth League, Persons with Disabilities League, National Diaspora League, National Council of Elders, the Jubilee Foundation, and National Business Council.
At the meeting party executive director and his deputy are expected to be in attendance.
Legal experts have a different opinion on whether William Ruto should be considered as the party deputy party leader by virtue of being the Dp
Some hold that Ruto should be first impeached in the National Assembly while others say if Jubilee strips him of his position, he ceases to be the DP.
“The President of the Republic of Kenya shall be the party leader and the Deputy President shall be the deputy party leader,” Article 33(2) of the Jubilee constitution says.
The constitution does not however stipulate the timeline in which the disciplinary committee should question a party member and the file forwarded to the NEC for the next course of action.
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The disciplinary committee can recommend to NEC that the member be fined, suspended, or expelled.
The party leadership can also disregard the decision by the disciplinary committee, uphold or substitute the penalty imposed by the team.
Jubilee Secretary-General Rafael Tuju accused Ruto among other things for allowing his allies to insult the first family, skipping the President’s Covid-19 conference at KICC, and engaging in endless political rallies in defiance of the President.
In case the NEC decides to form a disciplinary committee to probe the Deputy President, Ruto will then have a chance to defend himself.
Related: “Ruto Is NOT Welcomed At Jubilee Headquarters Again” Tuju Declares