Reprieve as suspension of five Wiper MCAs halted

Five women nominees of the Wiper party to the Machakos County Assembly can now breathe a sigh of relief after the political parties’ disputes tribunal halted their suspension.

The tribunal sitting in Nairobi and chaired by Kyalo Mboru yesterday issued orders suspending the party’s decision to expel the MCAs pending hearing and determination of the matter.

Margaret Ndalana, Nina Mbithe, Mary Ndinda, Jacqueline Munyao and Ruth Ndumi were expelled last month by the party’s National Governing Council (NGC) over alleged disrespect to the party and its leader Kalonzo Musyoka. They were accused of going against the party by voting to impeach Machakos County Deputy Governor Bernard Kiala last year.

They moved to the political parties dispute tribunal seeking orders to stop the party from expelling them pending hearing of the petition. They also sought orders to stop the registrar of political parties from amending or altering the list of the party’s membership.

The applicants further sought orders directing the party to give their lawyer, Kioko Kilukumi, certified copies of the NGC’s decision to fire them, with details of complaints against each of them.

The tribunal certified the matter urgent and directed an inter parte hearing be on March 25 at 2.30pm.
The orders signed by Mbolu directed the complainants to serve the Wpier party and the registrar of the political parties.

Their lawyer said his clients were entitled by virture of the constitution, read with sections 16 and 17 of the county government act to parliamentary powers, privileges and immunities, which guarantee the freedom of speech, debate and the right to vote on all matters that come before the House freely and conscientiously.

“It is the complainant’s averment that the exercise of their fundamental right and freedom of conscience and expression to vote in the manner they voted in the assembly cannot amount to lack of loyalty and disrespect to the organs of a political party,” added Kilukumi.