TNA's disciplinary committee suspends nominated senator Joy Gwendo for disrespecting party

TNA's nominated Senator Joy Gwendo

President Uhuru Kenyatta’s party, The National Alliance (TNA) has found Senator Joy Gwendo (nominated) guilty of disrespecting the party and therefore decided to suspend her with immediate effect.

The party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) had summoned senator Gwendo, Moses Kuria (Gatundu South MP) and Priscilla Nyokabi (Nyeri County MP) over their conduct in regards to the party’s philosophies and affiliations.

Gwendo now risks expulsion should the National Oversight Board find her guilty of allegations levelled against her.

The axe has fallen on Senator Gwendo as Nyokabi was set free for lack of evidence. Kuria's fate hangs in the balance.

According to the committee’s ruling, signed by five members including Deputy Chair Washington Makodingo, the senator was de-whipped from all Senate committees and suspended from the party henceforth.

“The charged member (senator) is recommended to the National Oversight Board for expulsion from the party pursuant to Articles 4 (9) (b) and 32 (3) of the TNA constitution,” said the NDC ruling.

Johnston Sakaja (nominated), who is also the party chairman, lodged a complaint with the committee, questioning the conduct of Gwendo, which has brought the name of the party and the office she holds into disrepute contrary to Article 3 and 4 of the party’s constitution.

“The senator has been disrespectful to the Kisumu Branch, an organ of the party, contravening Article 32 (5) of the party’s law,” stated the committee.

The charges also censure Gwendo for advancing the ideologies of other parties.

“The charged member has actively supported the agenda of the opposition both within and outside Parliament contrary to Article 4 (8) (b) of the party’s constitution,” reads part of the charges.

But in a quick rejoinder, Senator Gwendo turned to her social media page and faulted the committee’s decision, expressing her disappointment and claims that she supports ODM.

“I am extremely disappointed with the ruling. The NDC did not give us the particulars of the charge and deliberately delayed judgment to hamper our appeal,” lamented Gwendo.

She continued, “This is a political decision reeking of tribal, gender and sectorial harassment, which must not be allowed to stand in the modern Kenya. I shall stand strong and resist ill-timed attempts to push me out of a party that I have clearly worked hard for and which I believe in.”

She questioned the committee, which has recommended for her expulsion and vowed that the efforts of mercenaries will come to naught and threatened to challenge the decision in court.

“I have instructed my battery of lawyers to take up this matter to ensure justice is done. Justice will and must be done,” Gwendo said.

Makodingo had indicated that the disciplinary measures that will be taken against the legislators, if found culpable, will include expulsion, suspension, removal from parliamentary committees or even payment of fines.

He said they may also be compelled to issue public apologies where it applies.