The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) Wednesday, October 3, suspended a Ford-Kenya party meeting that had been organised by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula.
In a court order seen by Kenyans.co.ke, the party tribunal canceled the National Delegates Conference (NDC) that was scheduled for Thursday, November 4, at Bomas of Kenya.
The tribunal explained that they had arrived at the decision after Crispinus Barasa filed a petition seeking to stop the embattled Ford-Kenya leader from holding the decision-making party meeting.
“That pending inter parties hearing and determination of the Notice of Motion application dated November 2, 2021, interim orders for injunction be and are hereby issued restraining the third respondent from proceeding with the NDC of the interested party that was slated for November 4,” read the court order.
Additionally, the court barred Kanduyi legislator Wafula Wamunyinyi led-faction from holding a similar meeting that was slated for November 6.
“That pending inter parties hearing and determination of the Notice of Motion application dated November 2, 2021, interim orders for injunction be and are hereby issued restraining the second respondent from proceeding with the NDC of the interested party that was slated for November 6," read the order in part.
On his part, Wamunyinyi took to social media to lament over the decision. However, he stated that they would abide by the decision.
"Ford K party NDC set for November 21 has been canceled due to a court order served to Secretary-General Eseli Simiyu. We're disappointed again as another order is issued stopping our NDC. We are law-abiding and have to obey the court order," the legislator stated.
In the court orders, both parties were directed to show compliance to the orders as they await the hearing of the case on November 15.
In recent years, there have been wrangles at the party, with the Bungoma senator being ousted as the party leader in 2020. The two-term senator was then replaced by the Kanduyi legislator.
In a press conference held on October 11, the Wamunyiny- led faction criticised Wetangula stating that the senator had failed to offer leadership to the party.
The Bungoma senator was also accused of entering an agreement with the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) without consulting the party leadership.
"Even after the Secretary-General appealed to him to discuss the date of the NDC, he was not interested. August passed without the party holding an NDC," Wamunyinyi stated.
