Ruto barred from holding UDM polls

By Evelyn Kwamboka
Eldoret North MP William Ruto and his allies have suffered another setback following the High Court's decision to slap more interim orders on them.
Justice Daniel Musinga Thursday stopped Mr Ruto and 27 MPs from holding United Democratic Movement (UDM) party elections in August, pending inter partes hearing of an application filed by ousted party chairman Lt-Col (rtd) John Koech.
The judge issued the interim orders after extending the one stopping the Registrar of Political Parties from interfering with the party’s official’s register.
In another court, Lady Justice Jeanne Gacheche certified urgent a case seeking to dislodge Ruto and four other MPs from Parliament.
The judge ordered that all parties in the matter be served with the suit papers and the matter seeking to have Ruto, Isaac Ruto (Chepalungu), Charles Keter (Belgut), Joshua Kutuny (Cherangany), and Aden Duale (Dujis) declared non-ODM members heard on July 28. This was after the petitioners’ advocate Mr Cecil Miller, informed the court that the case raises weighty constitutional issues.
Defended
He said there is need for the court to determine the case before the current Parliament’s term comes to an end.
The petitioners are ODM members Mr Mpuru Mburi and Mr Kepher Odongo who claim Ruto and the other four have contravened Article 103 of the new Constitution as read with Section 17(4) of the Political Parties Act.
Yesterday, Mr Koech’s advocate, Mr Dan Anzala, told court that Ruto and his team are planning to hold UDM party elections in August. The matter will be heard interpartes on October 6.
"The court is not able to hear the matter this term. This is because vacation is to start on August 1. The application will be heard in the next term," he said.
UDM Secretary General Tito Busienei Koiyet defended Ruto, saying the prayers sought by Koech amount to asking the court to take over management of the party from elected officials.
In an affidavit filed at the High Court registry, Mr Koiyet claimed that if orders sought by Koech are granted, then UDM might be wound up.
He stated that the orders include stopping recruitment of new members, holding elections and meetings, passing party resolutions and filing returns at the Registrar of Political Parties. Koiyet said UDM has the right to engage Ruto and sell to him values of the party.
"In the circumstances, 27 respondents are unable to see fault in their attempt to recruit Ruto to target campaigns at him and persuade him to join the party all with the perimeters allowed in law," he stated.