Suspended Jubilee MCAs get their posts back

Three suspended Jubilee Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have been reinstated and their benefits restored.

The trio - Anne Thumbi, Millicent Jagero and Sylvia Moseiya - were in November last year suspended from Jubilee for three months and from all county assembly committees for six months for undermining the party and going against its position on the 2020-2021 budget.

Their reinstatement follows a declaration by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal chairperson Desma Nungo in March that their suspension went against the law.

Consequently, assembly Speaker Benson Mutura – through a communication to the House - allowed the ward reps back and directed that their benefits be reinstated.

“Having perused the appeals and sanctions meted therewith and taking into context the time served in the suspension, I am inclined to advise that the privileges attendant thereto to Anne Thumbi, Sylvia Museiya and Millicent Jagero are reinstated with immediate effect,” stated Mr Mutura.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the three should immediately resume their service to the House and its committees and all their pecuniary benefits restored,” he added.

The Speaker further explained that the sanctions had been instituted in line with the provisions of Article 50 of the Constitution.

The law states that "every person has the right to have any dispute that can be resolved by the application of law decided in a fair and public hearing before a court or if appropriate another independent and impartial tribunal or body, in this case, being the county assembly and its mechanisms under the law and the Standing orders."

The assembly relevant offices were also instructed to effect the Speaker's communication.

Trouble for the three MCAs began in 2020 after they were accused of disregarding the party position in relation to a memorandum by Governor Mike Sonko on his refusal to assent to the Nairobi City County Appropriation Bill, 2020.

They are said to have actively campaigned, opposed and frustrated the budget estimates contrary to the party’s position.

They were also punished for undermining the party’s leadership at the national and county levels as well as mobilising and openly associating with those opposed to Jubilee Party’s position.

The MCAs were among 27 members who voted in favour of the governor’s memorandum that rejected the county’s Sh37.5 billion budget.

Consequently, Jubilee Party Secretary-General Raphael Tuju, through a letter to the assembly called on the Speaker to suspend the MCAs.

Mr Tuju said the decision had been arrived at following a disciplinary committee meeting on November 27, 2020.

But the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal found Jubilee Party's decision went against the law.

[email protected]