Wamalwa wades into NFK wrangles as Lusaka calls for focus

Bungoma Governor Ken Lusaka has asked New Ford Kenya (NFK) leaders to unite, be focused and strong regardless of a court ruling stopping him from taking over the leadership of the party.

Speaking in Meru County at Meru National Polytechnic during the third Annual Devolution Conference, the governor asked other party leaders to remain focused because they are preparing to go for an election.

“The party has a Constitution and if any member has a problem, there is a right channel that can be used to solve the problem out of court. The case is meant to derail our planned programmes like grass root elections and the re-branding of the party,” said Mr Lusaka.

The governor however said he will seek his re-election on the party’s ticket despite the wrangles.

Former party leader Eugene Wamalwa, who is currently the water cabinet secretary, supported Mr Lusaka saying parties should be able to resolve conflicts with the registrar of political parties without rushing to courts.

“Because it is an active court case I cannot to comment more but we hope the registrar of political parties has powers to handle the case,” said the CS.

The orders were issued after six interim officials moved to court claiming the governor was not the bonafide party leader.

Captain (rtd) Charles Masinde (secretary), Mr Benjamin Wanyonyi (treasurer) and members Pius Kidika, Jane Mukholi, Nathan Khaemba and Justus Mbinga argued that the governor was not duly elected as the party leader and should be stopped from conducting party business.

Lady Justice Abida Ali-Aroni on Thursday certified the application as urgent and set the hearing date for April 26.

The case could however derail plans by the party to re-brand and hold grass root elections, as well as a membership recruitment drive launched by Mr Lusaka two weeks ago.

Mr Lusaka took over the partly leadership in April last year after Mr Wamalwa was appointed Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary.

In their application, the petitioners claimed that after the National Executive Committee (NEC) proposed Mr Lusaka for the position, the decision was to be ratified by the National Delegates Conference but that did not happen.

They said the Registrar of Political Parties’ records indicated that Mr Wamalwa was still the party leader and it was wrong for Mr Lusaka, a member, to speak on behalf of the party.