TNA to reconcile Gwendo and Kisumu branch officials

Disciplinary charges against nominated Senator Joy Gwendo have been dismissed by TNA Chair Johnson Sakaja as excessive. The party will however commence arbitration process between Gwendo and Kisumu branch officials. (Photo:File/Standard)

Embattled nominated Senator Joy Gwendo can now rest easy after The National Alliance Party (TNA) has rescinded a decision by the disciplinary committee to suspend her indefinitely.

The party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) had indicted Gwendo for being disrespectful to the party and recommended her expulsion through the National Oversight Board.

The party Chairman Johnson Sakaja (nominated) who had lodged the complaint against the senator, Thursday distanced himself from the case and sought to set the record straight that the accuser was Kisumu branch.

“After having gone through the verdict of the disciplinary committee, I find the verdict defective as the complainant in the case is Kisumu branch and not Sakaja as indicated throughout the proceedings,” stated Sakaja.

He admitted that there are underlying issues between Gwendo and the Kisumu branch, which needs to be resolved.

“There have been cases where the character of Gwendo and by extension, the value of TNA, have been portrayed in negative light through the media but despite the foregoing, I find the verdict of the committee as excessive,” he affirmed.

He added, “There do exists other avenues for amicable resolution between the two, Gwendo and Kisumu branch.”

He directed, “the verdict of the disciplinary committee be set aside and a process of arbitration and reconciliation be commenced by the office of the national chairman.”

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

They charged Gwendo for actively supporting the agenda of the opposition both within and outside parliament contrary to Article 4 (8) (b) of the party’s constitution.

The decision of the committee caused uproar from party members, including Gwendo who has threatened to sue.