Nine Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) rebel leaders will not be de-registered from after the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal barred the party from striking their names off the register and declaring their seats vacant.
It also directed the Registrar of Political Parties not to amend or alter the ODM membership list.
The rebels include Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya, Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, Kwale woman representative Zainab Chidzuga, Steven Kariuki (Mathare), Isaac Mwaura (nominated), John Waluke (Sirisia), Samuel Arama (Nakuru Town West), Masoud Mwahima (Likoni), Ababu Namwamba (Budalang'i) and Viwandani MCA Samwel Nyang'wara.
The nine moved to the tribunal after ODM’s governing organ found them to have contravened the party’s constitution and proposed their expulsion from the party for expressing affiliation to the Jubilee party and support for President Uhuru Kenyatta’s re-election in 2017.
Fair hearing
Through their lawyer Kioko Kilukumi, the rebels said that they were not given a fair hearing during a recent disciplinary committee meeting.
They also said that ODM has not held party elections for the last 10 years.
The rebels said that during the last National Executive Committee meeting at the Kasarani Gymnasium, no party officials were elected, as the meeting was disrupted by “men in black” hence ODM lacks a legally constituted committee to discipline members deemed rebellious.
Rejected appeal
On Monday, the party's National Governing Council rejected an appeal by the rebels to remain as members of ODM.
National Governing Council (NGC) said the expelled members violated the ODM constitution and the Political Parties law and must now face the electorate.
ODM chairman John Mbadi said the rebels were not remorseful when they appeared before the disciplinary committee.