Ford Kenya party has expelled Tongaren MP Eseli Simiyu, Kanduyi MP Wafula Wamunyinyi and nominated Busia MCA Cynthia Mutere. The decision was arrived at following a National Executive Council (NEC) and Parliamentary Group meeting in Nairobi on Monday. In a statement, the party said the three, despite being suspended and facing disciplinary action after attempting a leadership ouster back in May, they continued to engage in acts of misconduct in open breach of the party constitution.
The party is also set to hold its general council as well as the National Delegates congress meeting on or before September 2020. Speaking to the press after the Monday NEC meeting, Bungoma Senator and party leader Moses Wetangula said they are confident that the Court process will go well as its grounded on facts and law. After the attempted ouster, the Wetangula-led faction moved to the High Court to seek its intervention and rule on the party wrangles. The High Court is set to give its ruling on the issue on September 25th, with the new party leadership changes put on hold.
Wetangula said Ford Kenya intends to play a central role in the 2022 politics and that can’t happen with dissenting voices in the party, “This NEC/PG meeting has reiterated a position taken long before that Ford Kenya in 2022 will field a Presidential candidate in the contest for the leadership of this country.”
He said as a result, preparations must be done in a tranquil environment and peaceful manner, “We can’t purpose to contest for the leadership of this country when some of our members are being hirelings.” However, moments after the expulsion, the Wamunyinyi-led team rubbished the statement. Led by Eseli and Wamunyinyi, the leaders said the expulsion is the joke of the year, in what is set to be a prolonged internal battle.
