Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Alliance Secretary General Carol Omondi has weighed in on the ongoing dispute over the coalition’s leadership changes, dismissing claims that the process has been stalled by the failure to publish a gazette notice.
In a pointed statement issued after Junet Mohamed challenged Kalonzo Musyoka to follow the law, Omondi said she was “bemused” by what she termed alleged official instructions to the Government Printer to withhold publication of the notice effecting changes in Azimio’s leadership. She described the move as a clear misunderstanding of the law governing political parties and coalitions.
Omondi explained that under the law, the effectiveness of leadership changes is not solely dependent on gazettement by the Government Printer. She noted that once a notice has been submitted and published in a national newspaper, the statutory 14-day notice period continues to run regardless of whether the Government Printer proceeds to publish it.
“The 14 days’ notice period for the changes to become effective continues to run even if the Government Printer does not print them, provided that the same has been published in a national newspaper, which we have already done,” she said.
She maintained that Azimio had complied with all legal requirements and accused critics of either misreading or deliberately misrepresenting the law. Omondi concluded with a sharp rebuke to those questioning the process, saying, “If you wish to dance, please learn the rules of the dance,” underscoring her confidence that the coalition’s actions are firmly grounded in law.