• Azimio last week demanded resignation of Ann Nderitu.
• ORPP denies taking sides in the Jubilee wrangles.
Image: FILE
The Office of Registrar of Political Parties has fired back at Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya for demanding the resignation of Ann Nderitu.
Assistant Registrar of Political Parties Ali Abdullahi Surrow said the ORPP is an independent institution that is not under the direction or control of any person or authority.
Surrow, who is in charge of regulation and compliance, said they will not be intimidated or blackmailed because of the decisions they make as an office.
“We are guided by the value of the office, the law and the Constitution when we are making decisions,” he said.
Surrow, however, said Azimio leaders are entitled to have an opinion regarding decisions of the ORPP.
In an interview with the Star, the assistant registrar said the ORPP is committed to being an independent office.
“Leaders should be at the forefront promoting constitutionalism by not interfering with independent offices. We must also all observe democratic values and principles,” he said.
Azimio leaders have been demanding that Nderitu, the Registrar of Political Parties, resign for allegedly dancing to the tune of the Executive.
They have accused her of flaring up wrangles in the former ruling party, Jubilee.
“Ann Nderitu must leave office in view of clear manifestations that she has been co-opted into partisan and illegal schemes by Kenya Kwanza to cripple instead of protecting political parties," a statement by Azimio, read by former CS Eugene Wamalwa, said.
Azimio said Nderitu no longer enjoys the confidence of political parties.
The leaders further accused Nderitu of being used to hijack Jubilee.
The demands followed ratification of changes in the Jubilee party that saw vice chairperson David Murathe and secretary general Jeremiah Kioni expelled from the outfit.
Nderitu said due process was following in kicking out the members from the party over allegations of gross misconduct and lack of respect for the party organs.
Jubilee party faction led by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Kanini Kega said the National Disciplinary Committee concluded its hearing of the case involving the two and forwarded its decisions to the National Executive Committee (NEC).
NEC adopted the resolutions and submitted the report to the Registrar of Political Parties for approval.
On Monday, Surrow said the ORPP makes decisions in accordance to the law.
“When we make decisions, some will be happy while others will protest."
He said Azimio claims that the ORPP is undermining multi-party democracy is far-fetched.
“We have 90 fully registered parties in the country. Conflict in one party does not mean we are undermining multiparty democracy,” he stated.
He said all gazetted officials of Jubilee are still in office save for the two, whose matter is pending before the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal.