Victory for Wetang’ula as Court Confirms No Order Requires Him to Resign as Ford Kenya Leader
A major legal win has been secured by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula after the Court of Appeal clarified that no order compels him to step down as the Ford Kenya party leader. The ruling comes amid intense political scrutiny and a legal battle over his dual leadership roles.
On Friday, March 21, a three-judge bench, comprising Justices Daniel Musinga, Mumbi Ngugi, and Francis Tuiyot, reviewed the High Court’s decision on Wetang’ula’s status. They firmly stated that the February 7 ruling did not explicitly instruct him to resign.
Was Wetang’ula Ordered to Resign?
This legal battle began when a previous High Court ruling declared Wetang’ula’s simultaneous leadership as Speaker and party leader unconstitutional.
“The dual role is unlawful and unconstitutional. Once he became Speaker of the National Assembly, he ceased to be the leader of Ford Kenya,” the High Court had ruled on February 7.
Despite this, Wetang’ula, through his legal advisor Benson Milimo, dismissed the ruling as mere “ordinary comments” with no binding force.
“There was no dispositive order issued by the High Court requiring Wetang’ula to step down,” the Court of Appeal judges ruled, affirming his legal standing.
Wetang’ula Fights Back
Following the ruling, Wetang’ula and his legal team vowed to challenge the High Court’s initial declaration. They emphasized that the judgment did not impact his current role as Speaker.
He remains steadfast in his belief that he can continue leading Ford Kenya while serving as Speaker.
Court of Appeal Declines to Suspend Ruling
While the Court of Appeal refused to suspend the High Court ruling, it clarified that the matter remains under legal review. The judges noted that they could only stay “a positive order,” which the trial court had not issued regarding Wetang’ula’s resignation.
Azimio’s Majority Status Upheld
The Court of Appeal also ruled on another contentious issue: the political majority in Parliament. The judges refused to halt the High Court’s decision that recognized Azimio la Umoja as the majority party in the National Assembly.
Despite this, Wetang’ula’s ruling in Parliament reaffirmed Kenya Kwanza as the Majority Party and Azimio as the Minority Party, fueling political tensions.
What This Means for Wetang’ula
With the court confirming no order requiring his resignation, Wetang’ula remains in charge of Ford Kenya. However, the legal battle is far from over. As he prepares to challenge the High Court’s earlier declaration, his political influence continues to shape Kenya’s leadership landscape.
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Victory for Wetang’ula as Court Confirms No Order Requires Him to Resign as Ford Kenya Leader
