Ford-Kenya officials who removed Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula as the party leader two weeks ago have said they are ready to battle him in court.
The group, led by Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi, his Tongaren counterpart Eseli Simiyu and Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati, said they will use the court to ensure Wetang’ula does not remain at the helm of the party.
Wamunyinyi, who was picked interim party leader in the May 31 party coup, said he will file a case at the High Court to overturn the orders given to Wetang’ula.
On Monday, Wetang’ula acquired conservatory orders from the High Court barring the Registrar of Political Parties from making any changes in Ford-Kenya.
Judge James Aaron Makau at the Milimani courts, Nairobi, ordered that the gazettement of the new officials by the Registrar of Political Parties be halted until the matter is heard. The case will be mentioned on June 29.
The registrar had published an intent to gazette Wamunyinyi as the new party leader and had given seven days notice for people to file complaints. The period lapsed on Monday.
But Wamunyinyi said, “We shall eventually kick him out. We are also moving to the High Court seeking to overturn the earlier orders.”
Speaking on a vernacular radio station, he asked his supporters to be patient as they work on plans to reclaim the party from "the former party leader and his agents".
“We will use all legal means available to ensure Wetang’ula is kicked out. No retreat, no surrender,” Wamunyinyi said.
The group ousted Wetang’ula ago for what his opponents termed "lack of integrity and taking the party as his personal kiosk".
But Wetang'ula has promised to teach the coup plotters a lifetime lesson.
“The rebels must be prepared to face the disciplinary committee. We will not allow a few individuals to cause havoc in a once peaceful and vibrant party,” Wetang’ula warned.
Edited by A.N
