Mwaura bounces back to Senate
Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka yesterday re-admitted Senator Isaac Mwaura to the House, following a court ruling that quashed his expulsion by Jubilee Party.
Mwaura had lost his seat as a nominated senator after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party expunged his name from the party membership list.
The Political Parties’ Disputes Tribunal affirmed the party’s decision.
However, Mwaura moved to the High Court where he succeeded in overturning the tribunal’s decision on Tuesday.
Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka yesterday re-admitted Senator Isaac Mwaura to the House, following a court ruling that quashed his expulsion by Jubilee Party.
Mwaura had lost his seat as a nominated senator after President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party expunged his name from the party membership list.
The Political Parties’ Disputes Tribunal affirmed the party’s decision.
However, Mwaura moved to the High Court where he succeeded in overturning the tribunal’s decision on Tuesday.
In the judgement, the High Court set aside the decision expelling Mwaura from Jubilee.
Specifically, the High Court quashed the notices by the Registrar of Political Parties removing Mwaura’s name from the Jubilee Party list, Lusaka’s communication on the occurrence of a vacancy in the Senate and the electoral commission appointing former Senator Sammy Leshore to represent persons with disabilities.
Restored sanity
While re-admitting Mwaura to the House yesterday, Lusaka said his office lacks the mandate to delve into internal affairs of political parties.
“This is a matter that falls within the mandate of the members of the respective parties.
Senator Mwaura exercised his constitutional right to appeal against the decision of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, and a verdict has been delivered by the High Court,” Lusaka said in his verdict.
Lusaka directed that Mwaura remains a senator in accordance with the Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders.
On his part, Mwaura urged Kenyans whose rights and fundamental freedoms have been infringed upon to keep fighting.
“Keep questioning, keep looking for answers to the problem at hand. It does not matter the fear, intimidation, denial of privilege, name-calling and mudslinging. Stand up, define yourself, and do not allow to see yourself through the lenses of others,” he said.
“To my detractors, I have no ill-motive against you, I forgive you but the many battles I have fought have made me stronger.”
Taking to the floor of the Senate, a section of Deputy President William Ruto’s allies hailed the court decision saying it had restored sanity in the running of affairs of a political party.
“The question we should ask ourselves is that will all political parties be run like Jubilee Party that is chasing its weakest members,” Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen said.
Bomet Senator Christopher Lagat said Mwaura’s re-admission gives confidence to his nominated colleagues.
In the judgement, the High Court set aside the decision expelling Mwaura from Jubilee.
Specifically, the High Court quashed the notices by the Registrar of Political Parties removing Mwaura’s name from the Jubilee Party list, Lusaka’s communication on the occurrence of a vacancy in the Senate and the electoral commission appointing former Senator Sammy Leshore to represent persons with disabilities.
Restored sanity
While re-admitting Mwaura to the House yesterday, Lusaka said his office lacks the mandate to delve into internal affairs of political parties.
“This is a matter that falls within the mandate of the members of the respective parties.
Senator Mwaura exercised his constitutional right to appeal against the decision of the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, and a verdict has been delivered by the High Court,” Lusaka said in his verdict.
Lusaka directed that Mwaura remains a senator in accordance with the Constitution and the Senate Standing Orders.
On his part, Mwaura urged Kenyans whose rights and fundamental freedoms have been infringed upon to keep fighting.
“Keep questioning, keep looking for answers to the problem at hand. It does not matter the fear, intimidation, denial of privilege, name-calling and mudslinging. Stand up, define yourself, and do not allow to see yourself through the lenses of others,” he said.
“To my detractors, I have no ill-motive against you, I forgive you but the many battles I have fought have made me stronger.”
Taking to the floor of the Senate, a section of Deputy President William Ruto’s allies hailed the court decision saying it had restored sanity in the running of affairs of a political party.
“The question we should ask ourselves is that will all political parties be run like Jubilee Party that is chasing its weakest members,” Elgeyo Marakwet senator Kipchumba Murkomen said.
Bomet Senator Christopher Lagat said Mwaura’s re-admission gives confidence to his nominated colleagues.
