Independence party-Kanu-is hopeful it will get a slot in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) despite Parliament’s ruling declaring Azimio La Umoja One Kenya as the minority.
Party’s Secretary General Nick Salat said while they are planning to challenge Thursday’s ruling by Speaker Moses Wetangula that handed the Kenya Kwanza victory, the party members forming Azimio will eventually share the spoils.
Salat termed the ruling as ‘tyrannical’ accusing Wetangula of playing politics by leaning towards President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza side instead of conveying a just judgment.
“We did not expect him to rule that way, it is clear from the registrar of political parties that on our side we had more members and as to whether some members have quit is immaterial since that has not been ratified,” said Salat.
He stated that regardless of the outcome of the legal process, “We are going to share what is available among the coalition parties”.
“Whatever comes to the table for the Coalition should be shared equally, we do not expect anyone to be greedy about it,” Salat told the Star.
Kanu is among the affiliate parties and has submitted Salat's name for consideration.
Others eyeing the seats are Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni, Kennedy Musyoka, unsuccessful 2022 Gem MP contestant Jalang’o Midiwo and former Tiaty MP Asman Kamama.
Salat said as a party, they are supporting the move by the coalition to exhaust all avenues in seeking redress over the matter which he said was imbalanced.
Kenya, like the other five East Africa Community member states, has nine slots in the legislative arm.
The official at the same time said there was a need for a review of how the election of the Speaker is done saying the office holder has to be apolitical.
“In future, we have to consider the role of the Speaker on such critical matters, he has to be vetted just like other state officials and that way members can be assured of their fair decisions,” he noted.
Wetangula’s ruling, he claimed, was another way of dismantling coalitions in the country.
