The ruling comes amid an ongoing dispute over Jubilee’s leadership changes and the officials recognised by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).
The changes had been challenged by former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who argued that his concerns were not properly addressed before the new officials were approved.
In a statement shared on Friday, September 11, Wambugu said the tribunal found that Kenta was not a registered member of Jubilee at the time he was appointed Secretary-General.
The tribunal also faulted the ORPP for allegedly failing to exercise its oversight role in the matter.
Kenta was appointed to the powerful position in January, replacing Jeremiah Kioni, who was subsequently moved to the position of Second Deputy Party Leader.
At the time, Jubilee said the changes were aimed at strengthening its grassroots structures and preparing the party for future elections.
Wambugu had taken the matter to the tribunal after the Registrar approved the new party officials in May.
He maintained that although he had been invited to raise his concerns with Jubilee officials, he was not given an opportunity to respond before the changes were approved.
The dispute involved several senior Jubilee officials, including National Party Chairperson Vincent Kemosi, Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i, Deputy Secretary General Zack Kinuthia, National Organising Secretary Yasir Noor, Jeremiah Kioni and Kenta.
The tribunal had earlier certified Wambugu’s case as urgent and directed the respondents to respond before the matter proceeded to a hearing.
The latest ruling now invalidates Kenta’s appointment and could force Jubilee to reconsider the Secretary-General position, dealing another blow to the party as it seeks to strengthen its political machinery ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The development comes shortly after Jubilee experienced a wave of defections in Nairobi, with several party officials reportedly moving to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Matiang’i, however, dismissed the defections as evidence of Jubilee’s decline, arguing that some of those who left had already been suspended months earlier over alleged misconduct and interference with party affairs.