PRESIDENT RUTO TAKES RAILA ODINGA TO COURT

Farmers Party, an affiliate of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition, accused Azimio La Umoja of plotting to deregister United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as a political party.

Through a statement dated Friday, September 30, the party’s chairperson Irungu Nyakera accused Azimio of plotting through its proxies to have UDA expunged from the list of political parties. 

Nyakera, in his statement, argued that Azimio was reportedly pushing the Office of Registrar of Political Parties to delist UDA and Farmers Party for failing to register as data processors by June 25 2021, yet the registration was due on July 14, 2022.

“The suit makes empty allegations and has not provided any admissible evidence, hence pointing to a treacherous plot by the opposition to derail the Kenya Kwanza government by hook or crook through unfounded legal machinations,” the statement read in part.

“A cursory perusal of the suit confirms that the same raises matters falling purely within the purview of the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties and Data Commissioner but since the main objective of the suit is to mud-sling UDA and its affiliates, the petitioners had to approach the courts,” it added.

The former Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Devolution, however, claimed that his party had filed an appeal to oppose plans to deregister both UDA and Farmers Party.

By the time of publication, Azimio, which former Prime Minister Raila Odinga leads, had not responded to Farmers Party allegations.

The claims come just days before the first sitting in both the National Assembly and the Senate, where the two factions are set to battle it out for the Majority side. 

President William Ruto-led faction already nominated leaders to be considered for positions in the two houses same as Azimio.

In the lineup, Azimio nominated Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi for National Assembly Leader of Majority and was to be deputised by his Kathiani counterpart Robert Mbui.

Suna East MP, Junet Mohamed, was picked as Majority whip to be deputised by nominated MP Sabina Chege.

Kenya Kwanza on the other side nominated Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwah for the leader of the majority post, while South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro was nominated for the majority whip post.

Speakers of both houses are set to make the decision when the houses convene on Tuesday, October 4.

Sourced from Kenyans