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Prominent constitutional lawyer Kibe Mungai has moved to court seeking the deregistration of the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party. He accuses the party of systematically poaching elected leaders from the Azimio la Umoja coalition, an act he terms as a direct attack on Kenya’s multi-party democracy.
Mungai filed the petition on Thursday, arguing that UDA’s actions amount to political banditry. He wants the Registrar of Political Parties compelled to act decisively to safeguard the political rights of minority parties.
The outspoken lawyer warned that failure to rein in such “political bad manners” will eventually erode the foundation of competitive politics in Kenya. According to him, the ongoing wave of defections is illegal, unethical, and undermines the will of voters.
Interestingly, Kibe Mungai was formerly a staunch defender of ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached by both Parliament and Senate. He represented Gachagua vigorously during the proceedings, maintaining that the charges were politically instigated.
However, his latest court action has shifted focus from defending political figures to safeguarding political institutions. He emphasized that democracy can only thrive if political parties operate under the law and respect coalition agreements.
Mungai further said that the continued silence by the Registrar of Political Parties and the IEBC on this matter is “not just negligent but dangerous.” He called for the immediate investigation and punishment of UDA for violating the Political Parties Act.
He noted that the law requires a member of one party to resign before joining another, a step many defectors have conveniently ignored. Mungai contends that without legal consequences, parties will continue raiding each other, leaving voters confused and betrayed.
The petition has already triggered mixed reactions within political circles, with Azimio leaders welcoming it. Some UDA allies, however, dismissed the case as political drama meant to divert attention from opposition disarray.
Kibe maintains his suit is not partisan but a patriotic duty to preserve political order. The court is expected to set a hearing date soon, which could shape the future of political party operations in the country.
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