Political Parties Registrar Rejects Kalonzo’s Quest To Quit Azimio
The Registrar of Political Parties, Anne Nderitu, says Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka cannot leave Azimio La Umoja One Kenya, and that he must seek internal alternatives to resolve the coalition’s disputes.
Nderitu told K24 TV on Wednesday, May 18, that the agreement signed by the constituent parties meant that each member was committed to the pact.
She ruled out the possibility of secrecy during the agreement’s signing, pointing out that the document is legally binding and recognized by the Political Parties Act.
“The issue of signing of a coalition agreement can not be in secrecy. The fact that a party committed and signed means that they have seen the document. It is upon the coalition to deal with the issues of concern to its members.
“It’s only that the holder of that coalition agreement is the party itself, the constituent parties are members and therefore it’s upon that coalition party to call its own members and then deal with the issues of concern,” she stated.
Kalonzo’s announcement to run for president as a Wiper candidate raised concerns about the legality of the move, given that the Registrar of Political Parties had barred Maendelo Chap Chap governor Alfred Mutua from leaving the coalition.
According to lawyer Brenda Mdivo, who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke, Kalonzo’s best options for running for president would be through the legal process.
“He had made arrangements to leave Azimio, but he can exit and vie for the presidency as an independent. If he seeks to vie under Wiper, his only hope is for the party to extricate itself through the court procedure,” she stated.
Steve Ogolla, a High Court advocate, expressed similar sentiments, stating that the Wiper party leader could not legally run for President.
“Wiper Party is part of Azimio-One Kenya Coalition Party. In short, Wiper already nominated Raila Odinga as its presidential flag bearer. They cannot have a second bite at the cherry,” Ogolla explained.
