The Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) has moved swiftly to dispel a viral and fraudulent document alleging the imminent dissolution of Kalonzo Musyoka's Wiper Democratic Movement.
A fabricated letter, circulated widely on social media, falsely claimed that Wiper's National Executive Committee, under Secretary General Shakila Abdalla, had resolved to dissolve the party and submitted the decision to the ORPP for approval.
In an official statement on Thursday, January 15, the Registrar’s office firmly distanced itself from the document, declaring it "not authentic" and flagging it as fake. The office urged the public to be vigilant against such misinformation.
"The official information obtained should be used responsibly, including circulation in line with the relevant legal provisions and ORPP access to information procedures," the statement read.
The ORPP emphasised that all official communications concerning party registration, deregistration, or dissolution must strictly adhere to legal procedures. The public was advised to seek accurate information only through ORPP’s official channels or offices.
Legal Grounds for Dissolution
The clarification from the Registrar’s office sheds light on the actual legal framework governing political parties in Kenya. According to the office, it holds the power to deregister a party under specific conditions.
These include failure to comply with the Political Parties Act or the party’s own constitution, which could compel the ORPP to initiate dissolution. Additionally, a party risks dissolution if it fails to participate in elections over a designated period.
Political Backdrop and Kalonzo’s Stance
The emergence of the fake document occurs amid persistent political pressure on Kalonzo Musyoka. Some pro-government figures have publicly called for him to fold Wiper and join President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza alliance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Kalonzo has consistently and forcefully rejected these overtures. In a decisive move last October, he officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election, positioning himself squarely in opposition with the stated aim of making Ruto a one-term president.
His announcement has drawn sharp criticism from government quarters, with President Ruto himself challenging Kalonzo to account for his decades in public service before seeking the presidency.
A Firm Denial and a Clear Path Forward
With the ORPP’s definitive statement, rumours of Wiper's administrative dissolution have been officially quashed. The incident underscores the charged political environment as the country slowly gears up for the next electoral cycle, with misinformation emerging as a tool of political warfare.
For now, Kalonzo Musyoka and the Wiper Democratic Movement remain a key feature of Kenya’s opposition landscape, with their sights set firmly on the 2027 presidential race. The party’s future, as clarified by the Registrar, will be determined not by fake letters, but by the ballot box and adherence to the rule of law.
Tags
Politics