Former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s reported push to secure the Jubilee Party ticket ahead of the 2027 General Election has hit another hurdle after former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu moved to court to contest recent changes in the party leadership.
Wambugu has filed an urgent application before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal seeking orders to stop the implementation of the changes to Jubilee Party officials that were recently recorded by the Registrar of Political Parties.
In the case, Wambugu names 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.
The former legislator wants the tribunal to suspend and block the operationalisation of the changes contained in a letter dated May 21, 2026, from the Registrar of Political Parties.
He argues that although he had filed a statutory objection, the registrar went ahead and adopted and recorded the contested changes without informing, consulting, or giving him a hearing on whether the dispute had been resolved.
Wambugu further alleges that Jubilee Party falsely indicated to the registrar that his concerns had been addressed despite ongoing discussions that had not been concluded.
“That the 2nd Respondent (registrar) failed to undertake due diligence or independently verify whether the Applicant’s (Ngunjiri) objection had been resolved prior to effecting the changes in the register, thereby acting in breach of the constitutional duty of administrative fairness, transparency, and accountability under Article 47 of the Constitution,” the application states.
He maintains that the constitutional and procedural concerns raised in the matter remain unresolved and therefore require urgent conservatory orders to preserve the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the case.
Court documents show that the disputed changes were introduced through Gazette Notice No. 5749 before later being recorded by the Registrar of Political Parties.
Wambugu says that unless the tribunal intervenes, the changes may be effected and significantly alter the management and operations of the party before the dispute is fully heard and determined.
He is seeking conservatory orders to suspend, stay and halt the implementation and recognition of the new officials pending the hearing of the application.
“That 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 giving effect to the impugned changes of officials as any manner proposed by the Gazette Notice No. 5749 of the 1st Respondent (Jubilee party),” the application states.
The former MP is also asking the tribunal to bar Matiang’i and the other respondents from assuming office, acting, presenting themselves, or being recognised as Jubilee Party officials until the matter is heard and determined.
In the application filed under Sections 20 and 40 of the Political Parties Act, Wambugu cites Articles 22, 23, 38, 47 and 50 of the Constitution, arguing that the dispute raises constitutional and political rights issues that require urgent intervention.
The case is likely to escalate divisions within the former ruling party at a time when Matiang’i is increasingly being linked to a possible presidential bid under the Jubilee Party.
In recent months, Matiang’i has emerged as one of the opposition figures being considered for a potential presidential run, with several Jubilee Party leaders publicly backing his candidature.
The matter will be mentioned for directions on June 5, 2026.
