Labour Party protests plot by Political Parties Tribunal to have Namwamba expelled

Authors:

juma chrispinus

February 28, 2017 1:49 PM

LPK: The party NEC has not made any such resolution or even discussed or contemplated such cause of action

Namwamba’s Labour Party of Kenya (LPK) has protested the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal’s move to have him expelled from the party.

Through a letter signed by the chairperson Julia Ojiambo dated February 28th, the party states that: “No case, suit or complaint of any kind can be filed in the name of Labour Party without a resolution of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the party.”

It added: “The party NEC has not made any such resolution or even discussed or contemplated such cause of action.”

Through party’s letter to the registrar of the tribunal, Ojiambo has argued that they have “not been served with any purported suit papers, adding that the party has a full confidence in Namwamba.

She added: “any attempt to misuse the good name of our party and to besmirch the character of our leadership should be dealt with the contempt it deserves.”

Earlier on Tuesday, the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal announced a gag on Budalangi MP and Labour Party of Kenya leader Ababu Namwamba from transacting businesses on behalf of the party.

This came after an alleged application by John Barasa Makokha, on behalf of the LPK, to the Tribunal, was filed asking it to stop Namwamba from transacting any business for the party. Makokha swore an affidavit with the tribunal on the matter on January 27.

Serial problems

Namwamba who took over leadership of the party in September last year, has been making several changes in his party, the latest being the expulsion of his secretary general David Makali.

The replacement of Makali in the party has had uncontained ripple effect in the party. Makali, who was earlier accused of siding with the National Super Alliance (NASA) was expelled a few days ago.

See: MAKALI EXPELLED FROM NAMWAMBA'S LABOR PARTY AFTER LINKS TO NASA EMERGE

Namwamba’s woe ticks in just a day after he was reinstated to lead the party. The tribunal on Monday restrained him from acting as a member and leader of the party.

The tribunal, led by Kyalo Mbobu and Milly Odongo had on Monday ordered that: “in order to avoid confusion in the affairs of the party, an interim order is hereby issued to restrain the respondent herein [Ababu Namwamba], by her servants, agents, from acting or purporting to act or representing and holding himself as member and party leader of the Labour Party of Kenya pending the hearing and determination of the application inter parties.”

The tribunal allegedly had ordered the claimant to serve the notice of motion together with the statement of claim.

Authors:

juma chrispinus