Muturi's Democratic Party issues 30-day notice to exit Kenya Kwanza

Public Service CS Justin Muturi, then DP leader, exchanges an agreement with President William Ruto, UDA leader, in May 2022

The Democratic Party of Kenya (DP) has issued a 30-day notice to exit the Kenya Kwanza alliance.

On Wednesday, Registrar of Political Parties Anne Nderitu confirmed that her office had received the letter on March 12.

Muturi joined the Kenya Kwanza alliance through the DP party under an agreement signed in May 2022, making the party one of the alliance’s constituent members.

The DP delegates had earlier installed Muturi as the party leader during a meeting on February 22, 2022.

However, he resigned from the position upon his nomination as Attorney General.

“Kindly take notice that our stay in Kenya Kwanza is no longer tenable due to prevailing political developments,” reads the notice, signed by DP Secretary General Dr. Jacob Haji and dated March 7.

“The Democratic Party of Kenya, through this letter, hereby gives a 30-day notice to exit the coalition, as stipulated in termination clause 8 of the coalition agreement.”

The party further stated that the notice takes effect from the date of the letter, effectively signaling DP’s exit from Kenya Kwanza.

By law, the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has no authority to reject a political party’s decision to leave a coalition, provided that a 30-day notice is issued.

The letter was addressed to the chairperson of the Kenya Kwanza Coalition secretariat and copied to the secretaries general of Ford Kenya, UDA, and Maendeleo Chap Chap.

It was also co-signed by DP Chairperson Esau Kioni.

In a separate interview with The Star on Wednesday, Haji emphasized that the party no longer aligns with Kenya Kwanza.

“We are free from Kenya Kwanza because we no longer share any common philosophy or ideology,” Haji stated.

He also claimed that Muturi effectively resigned from the party upon his nomination as Attorney General in 2022.

“Muturi is a civil servant as far as I know and is no longer an official in our party,” he said.

The DP party’s decision signals a tough political road ahead for Muturi, who has recently fallen out with President Ruto after openly criticizing the Kenya Kwanza government.

Reports indicate that Muturi may soon be removed from the Cabinet, as a major reshuffle is expected by Friday.