Maraga names new head of parties disputes tribunal

The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has named a new head of the tribunal charged with solving political parties’ disputes.

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal will now be chaired by Desma Nungo.

Chief Justice David Maraga, the JSC chairman, appointed Ms Nungo to chair the tribunal for six years after Kyalo Mbobu’s term came to an end on November 19.

Other tribunal members are Hassan Abdi, James Atemi, Adelide Mbithi, Milly Lwanga Odongo and Paul Ngotho.

Nungo’s first test as chairperson is how to handle disputes that may arise from party elections scheduled for next year.

ODM and Jubilee Party plan to go to the polls next year in a bid to inject new blood in their respective leadership ahead of the 2022 general elections.

A few weeks ago, ODM party leader Raila Odinga said the elections will strengthen the party by giving members a chance to elect leaders of their choice.

The tribunal handled 540 nomination disputes ahead of the 2017 general election, a number Mbobu said forced them to work longer hours. In 2017, the tribunal comprised seven members and had two separate benches of three with a sub-registry located at the Milimani law Courts in Nairobi.

Most of these disputes were based on party nominations.