Kenya’s Jubilee Party has moved to the High Court, accusing the government of failing to release billions of shillings meant for political parties under the law.
In a petition filed in Nairobi under a certificate of urgency, the party argues that the State has consistently underfunded the Political Parties Fund despite clear legal requirements and a previous Court of Appeal ruling on the matter.
The case places the National Assembly, the National Treasury, the Registrar of Political Parties and the Attorney General at the centre of a fresh legal battle over political financing, an issue that has long stirred tension among Kenya’s parties.
Jubilee says the Political Parties Act requires the government to allocate at least 0.3 per cent of national revenue to the fund each financial year. The party argues that this threshold has not been met for years, leaving qualifying parties without resources they are legally entitled to receive.
In court papers, Jubilee points to a 2019 Court of Appeal decision involving the Orange Democratic Movement and the National Treasury, which affirmed that eligible political parties should receive funding based on the formula set out in law, including arrears dating back to the 2012/2013 financial year.
Jubilee Cries Foul Play From Treasury
Despite that judgment, Jubilee claims the Treasury and Parliament have continued to approve allocations below the legal minimum.
The party says the dispute has become more urgent as political alliances shift ahead of the 2027 General Election. Jubilee argues that any new allocations made below the statutory threshold could disadvantage parties involved in ongoing coalition discussions and weaken political competition.
“The obligation is mandatory and continuing,” the petition states, according to court documents filed by Jubilee officials.
In an affidavit sworn by the party’s treasurer, Dick Kagwe Gichoho, Jubilee says it qualifies for public funding under the Act and should benefit equally from the protections offered by the law and past court rulings.
The party is now seeking conservatory orders to temporarily block any further allocation or disbursement of the fund until the court hears and determines the case.
Jubilee argues that without immediate intervention, qualifying parties will continue suffering financial prejudice while the government proceeds with what it calls unlawful allocations.
The respondents have not publicly responded to the petition by Thursday afternoon.
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