Tribunal suspends TNA-URP merger

NAIROBI: President Uhuru Kenyatta's political party The National Alliance (TNA) has suffered another set-back after a tribunal issued orders stopping its dissolution and merger with other parties to form the Jubilee Party.

The merger, which had been slated for December 19, has been put on hold until the case filed before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) by Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta (TNA) is heard on January 28, 2016.

The MP told the tribunal that he learnt of the planned merger and dissolution through the media, and no formal communication had been made through the established party hierarchy.

Through his lawyer Titus Koceyo, Mr Kenta submitted that in the event TNA is dissolved, then the fate of President Kenyatta and his deputy, William Ruto, would hang in the balance.

In the case filed under a certificate of urgency, the tribunal was told that the Political Parties Act and the TNA constitution had not been adhered to before the merger was concluded.

Tribunal members Kyalo Mbobu (Chairman), Chacha Odera, James Atema and Paul Ngotho were told if the merger is concluded, there may be a constitutional crisis since Section 11 (7) of the Political Parties Act and the Constitution do not protect the office of the President, deputy president and governors.

Mr Koceyo said under the law, only MPs and MCAs are allowed to join other parties in the event their sponsoring party has been dissolved or merged.