UDF party leader Musalia Mudavadi now faults registrar

UDF party leader Musalia Mudavadi has said the registrar of political parties has no power to determine the leadership of a political party.

"Members of a party are the ones who determine the leadership. The registrar can only keep records," said Mudavadi at a fundraiser at Umoja Pentecostal Assemblies of God church in Nairobi, yesterday.

Referring to the leadership battles that have rocked the party, Mudavadi said: "Since the inception of the party, there has been no election of party officials, people are holding positions on an interim basis. When I became the presidential candidate, I was assigned the party leader at the National Delegates Conference at Bomas of Kenya."

Mudavadi spoke after he, alongside his former running mate Jeremiah Kioni and Kasim Sawa, on Friday lost round one of the tussle for UDF's leadership at the Political Parties Dispute Resolution Tribunal.

The four-member tribunal dismissed their objection that it has no jurisdiction to hear the petition against party officials, ruling it had the authority to hear and determine cases emanating from the decision of the party.

The tribunal chaired by Kyalo Mbobu also ordered that the status quo be maintained until the case is heard and determined, which means nominated MP Hassan Osman and other executive committee officials remain in office.