Was Jubilee right to de-whip 'defiant' MPs after court's order?

Leader of Majority in the National Assembly Aden Duale. [Photo: Courtesy]

Jubilee, through its Majority Leader  Aden Duale and Chief Whip Ben Washiali, is right to de-whip MPs Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills), Silas Tiren (Moiben), Mwangi Gakuya (Embakasi North), David Kangogo Bowen (Marakwet East) and Alex Kosgey (Emgwen) for going against the party’s (voting) will in the House.

Political parties have rules and it becomes natural for any politician to be disciplined in whatever way, including being de-whipped if he or she doesn’t abide by the set rules. Of the five legislators in the National Assembly who were de-whipped we know that they campaigned and had their seats, thanks to the popularity of the Jubilee Party.

The members ran to the High Court and obtained a stay order to retain their seats in different House committees, but that is bound to fail. The court cannot interfere with internal matters of Parliament in the common principal of separation of powers.

The members should have approached Jubilee’s internal party dispute organ. Then if unsatisfied, go to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal and only think of the courts as a last resort. Did they follow this path?  In the Senate we invoked standing order number 200 to vote by proxy on behalf of (suspicious) members when we feel that a member can go against the party wishes. But as matters stand, I find the decision to de-whip the members a laudable punishment by the party.

 

Mr. Kang’ata is Murang’a Senator and Jubilee Deputy Chief Whip in Senate.