Budalang'i MP Ababu Namwamba has been ordered to step aside as the leader of the Labour Party of Kenya (LPK).
The decision was made by a tribunal led by Kyalo Mbobu and Milly Odongo on Monday following an application by Mr John Barasa Makokha, on behalf of LPK.
Mr Makokha had asked the tribunal to bar Mr Namwamba from transacting business on behalf of the party.
"In order to avoid confusion in the affairs of the party, an interim order is hereby issued to restrain Ababu, by his servants/agents from acting or purporting to represent himself as member and party leader of the Labour Party of Kenya pending the hearing and determination of the application interparties," part of the ruling read.
Namwamba took over leadership of the party in September 2016 after ditching ODM and resigning as the Secretary General of the party.
In an interesting twist, however, LPK chairperson Dr Julia Ojiambo on Tuesday said she was not aware of the case before the tribunal, terming Mr Makokha's petition as "fraudulent".
“Party has no idea and has not filed anything anywhere,” Dr Ojiambo stated in a statement addressed to Registrar of Political Parties.
The matter is scheduled to be heard on March 9.
