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Alego Usonga Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Samuel Atandi has urged the Office of Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to consider deregistering Martha Karua’s Narc Kenya party.

Taking to his official X account on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, Atandi argued that Karua’s party does not have any elected leader, both at county and national level.

Atandi on Narc Kenya’s deregistration

Atandi stated that Narc Kenya does not have any elected Member of County Assembly (MCA) and any elected Member of Parliament (MP).

He argues that the Narc Kenya party has failed to garner at least five per cent of total votes cast in a general election.

Atandi went ahead to question what the registrar of political parties is waiting for her to deregister Karua’s party.

“The law says if a political party does not garner 5 % of total votes cast in a general election, that party should be deregistered! Martha Karua’s Narc Kenya has 0 MCA, 0 Mp, 0 nothing. What is the registrar of political parties waiting for?” Atandi stated.

The law says if a political party does not garner 5 % of total votes cast in a general election, that party should be deregistered! @MarthaKarua 's @narckenya has 0 MCA, 0 Mp, 0 nothing. What is the registra of political parties waiting for?

— Hon Sam Atandi (@SamuelAtandi) August 7, 2024

Political Parties Act

But what does the law say on deregistration of political parties?

According to section 21 of Political Parties Act, 2011, the registrar of political parties may deregister a party if it has contravened the provisions of Article 91 of the Constitution.

The party can also be deregistered if it does not promote free and fair nomination of candidates; does not adhere to the law relating to the nomination of candidates; does not respect the national values and principles of the Constitution; obtained its registration in a fraudulent manner; has instigated or participated in the commission of an election offence; or has acted contrary to the provisions of section 26 of the Act.

Karua-Azimio differences

Karua’s differences with a section of Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party leaders allied to Raila Odinga started when she opposed to government of national unity that is being advocated for by President William Ruto and the former Prime Minister.

After the Head of State nominated four individuals from Raila’s Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to his Cabinet, Karua’s Narc Kenya wrote to Azimio Secretary General Junet Mohamed announcing its exit from the coalition.

Since then, Karua has been a great critic of the broad-based government, which President Ruto says will unite all Kenyans.