The High Court in Nairobi has ruled that it has the jurisdiction to hear the Ford Kenya party case against the registrar of political parties and Kanduyi MP Wamunyinyi and his Tongaren counterpart Dr Eseli Simiyu. Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula and other party leaders had moved to the High Court to contest changes effected by the Wamunyinyi-Eseli axis, who had ousted him as the party leader. Eseli and Wamunyinyi had opposed the move. Justice James Makau has now set October 19 for mention of the case filed by the party.
Speaking after Wetangula moved to the High Court, Dr. Eseli accused Wetangula of taking the matter to the High Court intentionally so that it drags out and give him time to remain in office as party leader, affirming that he will vacate the seat at all costs. He had argued that the matter should first be handled by the political parties disputes tribunal before going to the High Court, which he said has no jurisdiction to handle the case at this point. “As far as we know this matter should be at the political parties disputes tribunal. After that, if one party is not satisfied with the tribunal’s decision then they can come to appeal at the High Court.”