By Jeff Kizzilah
The Ukweli Party has strongly protested a move by the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) to deregister the party, terming the action as a direct assault on multiparty democracy and a calculated political witch-hunt.
In a statement issued on Friday, party officials accused the ORPP of acting under pressure from the ruling UDA government, alleging that the deregistration attempt is meant to weaken emerging political formations that pose a future threat to the establishment.
“This is not an administrative process but a political attack. Ukweli Party is being targeted because of its growing influence and independent voice,” said a senior party official.
The party further claimed that the ORPP is attempting to “steal” its official party colours, an action they say is unlawful and aimed at erasing Ukweli’s political identity from the national scene.
Ukweli leaders warned that such actions undermine constitutional freedoms, including the right of citizens to freely form and participate in political parties of their choice. They vowed to challenge the deregistration move through legal and political channels.
“We will not be intimidated or silenced. Ukweli Party remains firm and will resist any attempts to suffocate democracy,” the statement read.
The controversy adds to growing tensions between smaller political parties and the ORPP, with critics increasingly accusing the office of bias and selective application of the law in favour of the ruling coalition.
