Wetang'ula Formally Ousted as Ford-Kenya Leader After Registrar Gazettes His Removal

The Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu has gazetted the ouster of Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula as the party leader of Ford-Kenya.

Nderitu issued a notice for the removal of Wetang’ula through a special gazette notice dated June 8th, 2020, which shows he has been replaced by Kanduyi MP Athanas Wamunyinyi.

The notice further indicated that Ford-Kenya’s National Organizing Secretary Chris Mandu was also axed and replaced with Josephine Waungu.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 20(1)(c) of the Parties Act,2011, the Registrar of Political Parties gives notice of the Ford Kenya Party intends to change its party officials,” the notice reads.

“Any person with written submissions concerning the intended change by the political party shall within 7 days from the date herein deposit them with the Registrar of Political Parties.” 

Ford-Kenya’s National Executive Council (NEC) resolved to dismiss Wetang’ula during a meeting on May 31st on grounds of gross misconduct.

Ford-Kenya secretary-general Eseli Simuyi while addressing the media said the party had lost its ideals under Wetangula’s leadership.

Hours later, Senator Wetang’ula called a media briefing where he dismissed his ouster as illegal and inconsequential. 

“Don’t panic, coups are archaic to good order and activities of cowards. Anybody who wants to run for a seat in Ford-Kenya file your papers and let’s meet at Bomas. I have no doubt delegates will still give me a chance to run this party,” said Wetang’ula.

He added: “We condemn any idlers who are staging parochial coups in the party when the country is facing Covid-19 challenges, floods, and locust invasion.”