Wiper summons Governor Mutua and six MPs as it steps up bid to kick out rebels
Hassan Omar, the Wiper Democratic Movement's secretary-general (right), at the party's office in Lavington, Nairobi on November 1, 2016. With him are Nairobi Deputy Governor Jonathan Mueke (left) and the party's leader Kalonzo Musyoka (centre). PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
The party, led by former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, said Dr Mutua and the six lawmakers, who were elected on its ticket, had joined other political outfits in contravention of Wiper’s code of ethics.
- Letters to the seven rebel members say the leaders should appear before the party’s disciplinary committee, chaired by lawyer Harun Ndubi, on Friday.
Mr Omar, who is also the Mombasa senator, told the seven that if they fail to appear before the disciplinary committee within seven days, action would be taken against them.
The Wiper Democratic Party has summoned Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua and six MPs as it steps up its bid to kick out the rebel members.
The party, led by former Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka, said Dr Mutua and the six lawmakers, who were elected on its ticket, had joined other political outfits in contravention of Wiper’s code of ethics.
Letters to the seven rebel members – signed by Wiper secretary-general Hassan Omar – say the leaders should appear before the party’s disciplinary committee, chaired by lawyer Harun Ndubi, on Friday.
Mr Omar, who is also the Mombasa senator, told the seven that if they fail to appear before the disciplinary committee within seven days, action would be taken against them.
“Please, take note that if no response is received within seven days and you fail to attend the proceedings of the disciplinary committee as herein advised, the team shall take or recommend appropriate action without any further reference to you,” says a letter to Dr Mutua.
Mr Omar said the resolution to summon Dr Mutua and the six MPs was reached by the party’s National Executive Committee on Wednesday, after the rebel members said they had resigned from the party.
JOINED JP
Dr Mutua formed his party, Maendeleo Chap Chap, while the six MPs joined the Jubilee Party (JP). The MPs are Mr John Munuve (Mwingi North), Mr Joe Mutambo (Mwingi Central), Mr Katemi Makenga (Kaiti), Ms Regina Ndambuki (Kilome), Mr Kisoi Munyao (Mbooni) and Mr Robert Mutemi (Nominated).
“You have overtly formed; joined in the formation of; joined; publicly advocated the formation of another political party and have continued to promote the ideology, interests and policies of a rival party. By the overt contravention of this provision, you are deemed to have resigned from the Wiper Democratic Movement — Kenya,” says the letter.
On Wednesday, Mr Musyoka, who had initially indicated that they would not expel the leaders who had joined JP, said they had been compelled to act due to a scheme by the ruling coalition to raid the opposition parties.
“The party has resolved the affected members be summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee. Members of the county assemblies whose loyalty to the party has been put into question will also be summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee,” said the Mombasa senator.
The Wiper Party is following in the footsteps of its coalition partner, ODM, which expelled 10 rebel elected leaders and notified the Registrar of Political parties over the matter.
Registrar Lucy Ndung’u promised to update the ODM register in seven days after the party informed her of their expulsion.
A governor, a deputy governor, seven MPs and an MCA are listed in the notification received by the registrar.
