Update: The Registrar of Political Parties has refuted reports that she recalled the Gazette Notice indicating changes at Ford-Kenya.
"We take note of reports that the Registrar of Political Parties has withdrawn Gazette pertaining intention to change Ford Kenya Party officials.
The correct position as advanced at the Political Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) on Friday, June 12, is that the Gazette Notice still stands for purposes of its intent," a statement from the Office of Registrar of Political Parties stated.
Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula's position as Ford-Kenya's Party Leader is still in contention after Political Parties Disputes Tribunal refuted that it had recognised him as the legitimate leader.
On Friday, June 12, Wetangula's lawyer Nelson Havi had announced that the Senator had been reinstated following wrangles between his faction and that lead by Kanduyi MP Athanas Wamunyinyi.
He also added the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu had recalled the gazette notice that had declared Wamunyinyi as the new party leader.
Havi, the Law Society of Kenya President further disclosed that Wetangula also withdrew a case he had filed against Wamunyinyi and Ford Kenya's Secretary-General Eseli Simiyu.
"The Registrar of Political Parties has recalled the 8th June gazette notice on changes made to the Ford Kenya party, as far as we are concerned, Wetangula is still the Ford Kenya leader," Wetangula's lawyer Nelson Havi stated.
Simiyu and Wamunyinyi were to face a disciplinary committee, on Tuesday, June 16, in line with Wetangula reportedly claiming his seat back. The committee was to be chaired by West Mugirango lawmaker Vincent Kemosi.
Wamunyinyi's faction had earlier on accused Wetangula of threatening and intimidating NEC members who signed to out Wetangula. They also alleged that Wetangula was forcing the members to refute their signatures used to oust him.
Wetangula was further accused of threatening Ford-Kenya members opposing him with de-whippings from National Assembly committees and overseeing their recall.
However, the Senator reiterated that he was the party's leader while accusing ODM's Raila Odinga and Central Organisation Trade Union Secretary-General Francis Atwoli of orchestrating the plot.
"Anybody who wants to run for a seat in Ford Kenya file your papers and let’s meet at Bomas. I have no doubt delegates will still give me a chance to run this party. We condemn any idlers who are staging parochial coups in the party when the country is facing COVID-19 challenges, floods and locust invasion," Wetangula stated while addressing the media on Sunday, May 31, 2020.
Video: Daily Nation
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