Battle for Minority Whip: Tribunal throws out Senator Dullo's case

Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo. [File, Standard]

The Political Parties Disputes Tribunal has struck out Fatuma Dullo's petition challenging her removal as the Senate Minority Whip.

In a ruling dated March 14, 2023, the tribunal stated that it lacked the jurisdiction to rule on internal party affairs.

The Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition had on February 15 resolved to remove Dullo as the Senate Minority Whip and replace her with Narok Senator Ledama Olekina.

Dullo was among Jubilee Party leaders who pledged support for President William Ruto, forcing the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya leadership to crack the whip on her.

Aggrieved by her removal, the Isiolo Senator moved to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal on February 20 to challenge her ejection, terming it unfair.

The tribunal, chaired by Desma Nungo, said in the ruling that Dullo rushed to the tribunal before presenting her case at Azimio's Internal Dispute Resolution Committee.

As a result, Nungo said their hands were tied, as the tribunal lacks the powers to determine the matter that had not sought internal intervention.