Case filed for removal of Mwandawiro Mghanga as Communist Party of Kenya chairperson

David Otieno Owiti, a member of the Communist Party of Kenya, has filed a case at the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) against the party's chairperson Mwandawiro Mghanga saying that he is in office illegally.

He wants the tribunal to stop Mghanga and Benedict Wachira from carrying out any functions and/or duties and not to engage on behalf of the Party. 

“A declaration that the Chairperson of the Party 3rd Respondent is illegally in office and as such should stop performing any functions of the said office... A declaration that all functions carried out by the 2nd Respondent are unlawful as he had resigned from his position on 10th October 2020,” read court papers.

According to Owiti, the chairperson of the party was appointed Taita Taveta County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Mining and Housing in 2019 and despite his alleged resignation, he has continued to execute his functions yet there is no process that reinstated him back to the office.

“The Communist Party of Kenya headquarters and branch offices have remained permanently closed since 8th August 2022 contrary to the Political Party's Act; no notice has been given to the public or membership,” reads the papers.

According to him, attempts to get clarification from the Secretary-General have been received with threats of expulsion from the party, psychological attack, demeaning comments or horrid silence. 

He further claims that the party political bureau is yet to be instituted four years after the National Congress, accusing the leadership of Benedict Wachira of refusing to initiate the process.