The National Liberal Party (NLP) has threatened legal action against the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition, accusing it of unlawfully replacing Dr. Augustus Muli with Ambassador Koki Muli in a crucial selection panel. The dispute has sparked a heated political row, with NLP demanding the reinstatement of Muli.
NLP claims that Dr. Augustus Muli was rightfully appointed to the selection panel through a vote conducted by constituent parties and overseen by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The party asserts that Muli’s appointment was validated by the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) following all procedural requirements.
However, in a press briefing on Tuesday, NLP leader Augustus Muli and Secretary General Omondi Koyoo criticized Azimio Secretary General Junet Mohamed and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka for allegedly bypassing the PPLC’s mandate.
According to Muli and Koyoo, Junet Mohamed and Kalonzo Musyoka unilaterally substituted Koki Muli for Augustus Muli, an act they describe as both “short-changing” and “hijacking” the established process.
Muli has denounced the move as illegal and unfair, insisting that his appointment was legitimate. He has called for urgent intervention from National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula to address what he sees as a violation of protocol. “This action by Azimio is not only unfair but also illegal. I was duly appointed to the taskforce, and I demand that my appointment be recognized and gazetted with the rest,” Muli asserted.
The selection panel, which is set to complete its work within three months, is tasked with finalizing nominations and submitting them to the president. The panel is expected to be dissolved after its submission unless Parliament extends its mandate. The ongoing conflict highlights the challenges and tensions within Kenya’s coalition politics, underscoring the potential for disputes over procedural and representative issues.