Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna)SCREENGRAB
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has again moved to the Political Parties Tribunal seeking to quash the decision by the Registrar of Political Parties to remove him as ODM secretary general.
The Registrar of Political Parties on July 9 formally recognised the removal of Sifuna as the Orange Democratic Movement secretary general after finding that his removal complied with both the Political Parties Act and the ODM constitution.
Registrar of Political Parties John Lorionokou said the decision followed a review of documents submitted by ODM as well as the absence of a response from Sifuna regarding the matter.
"Upon review of the documents submitted by the party and the lack of response from Edwin Sifuna, we note that the removal of the party secretary general was in line with the Political Parties Act and the ODM party constitution," Lorionokou said in a letter to the ODM party.
However, Sifuna has in an amended complaint returned to the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal to quash the decision by the Registrar of Political Parties to ratify the resolution by the ODM National Executive Committee.
The ODM National Executive Committee had acted on a decision by the party's disciplinary panel which Sifuna opted not to participate in alleging bias. The tribunal chaired by Gad Gathu on Tuesday ordered that the complaint be heard on August 18.
Sifuna is being represented by former Law Society of Kenya President Senior counsel Patrick Okero while the ODM party is represented by Sam Makori and Ken Amondi.
ODM has opposed Sifuna's complaint saying the allegations of bias against the disciplinary panel are mere speculation.
The lawyers said the disciplinary process was lawful and fair and that Sifuna chose not to participate in the process.
They argued that the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to quash or prohibit the decision of the Registrar of Political Parties made in exercise of his statutory authority.
