Dadaab Member of Parliament Farah Maalim has reportedly declined appointment by Wiper to become deputy party leader.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 8, Maalim clarified that he had no intention of retaining the senior party position and that he would communicate the same to the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP).

The vocal legislator revealed that he learned of his reported appointment to the top party position through social media stating that he never applied for the said position.

"I have no intention of retaining the position of Deputy Party Leader in the Wiper Party. I politely decline the offer & will communicate the same to the ORPP," Farah Maalim commented.

“For the information of all I never asked the Wiper party to retain me as deputy party leader. It came as a surprise when I read in SM that I was gazetted as the Deputy Party Leader.," he added.

Maalim’s decision to decline the party position comes hours after the Wiper party clarified appointing the Dadaab lawmaker to be the party's deputy leader. Wiper in a notice, faulted the Registrar of Political Parties for gazetting an outdated list of party leaders.

According to the opposition party, in May this year, it sent a letter to the registrar informing her of the changes in the in-house party leadership, however, ORPP did not publish the changes within 14 days as required by the law, instead, it gazetted the changes four months later, on October 4.

“Let it be known that the Registrar's office failed to publish our intention in the Kenya Gazette within fourteen days as required by Section 20(1) of the Political Parties Act,” read part of the statement by Wiper Party.

Wiper further noted that Maalim whose name was initially forwarded for the party position was later de-whipped following his inflammatory sentiments against the youthful protesters. 

Kalonzo's party also revealed that the process of revoking Maalim's party membership was in the works despite the MP failing to honour all summons issued to him. The lawmaker was supposed to answer the allegations levelled against him.

"Once the Disciplinary Committee advises that Hon Maalim be relieved of his current position, indeed be expelled from the party, the same will require ratification by a special National Delegates Convention (NDC)," Wiper Party communicated.

The party further noted that it would be taking legal action against the ORPP to ensure that the party's rights are respected. "We therefore demand a public explanation by the ORPP, as to the four-month delay in gazettement of our party officials," Wiper noted.