Anthony Kiragu and Mark Mugambi, the two Nairobi County MCAs who were ousted as the Minority Leader and Minority Whip respectively by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party have fought back.
Both Mugambi and Kiragu on Tuesday, October 24, secured orders from the Political Parties and Disputes Tribunal to stop any leadership changes in the minority side.
On Monday, UDA secretary General Cleophas Malala had written to Nairobi County Assembly communicating a decision to effect changes in the party’s leadership.
However, the duo filed a petition at the Tribunal seeking stay orders to prevent further attempts to remove them from their positions until their case is heard.
Desma Dungo, the Chairperson of the Tribunal granted Kiragu and Mark Mugambi their prayers barring UDA from interfering with their privileges and benefits enjoyed by holders of their positions.
Also, the Tribunal halted any further attempts to replace Mugambi and Kiragu.
Both Kiragu, the Ward Representative of Waithaka and Mugambi are reportedly close allies of Governor Johnson Sakaja and have worked together throughout the governor’s tenure.
In his letter, Malala noted that the decision was made in a meeting held on Tuesday, October 17, where members accused Kiragu and Mugambi of failing in the role of uniting the party’s representatives in the Assembly.
To replace Kiragu and Mugambi, Malala named Nairobi South MCA Waithera Chege as the party’s preferred Minority Leader and nominated MCA Joyce Muthoni as the new Minority Whip.
However, the duo attributed their woes to the upcoming UDA party elections, noting that their interest to contest for the party’s chairmanship in Nairobi played factor.
Further Divisions in UDA
Besides the stay orders granted by the Tribunal, a letter by Joyce Muthoni who was serving as the Deputy Minority Whip exposed further divisions in the party.
In the letter addressed to Malala, Muthoni declined to attend a meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 25, convened by Malala to discuss matters of UDA leadership in Nairobi.
Muthoni, who wrote on behalf of 25 other MCAs noted that they would not attend the meeting and instead asked Malala to consider the party’s long-term unity.
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She claimed that there were plans to backtrack the changes communicated by the party on Monday in the meeting.
Further, the MCA underscored that the matter regarding UDA’s leadership in the County Assembly was under a tribunal and, as such, further discussions on the same would amount to contempt.
According to her, Malala had overstepped in his role and meddled with the functions of UDA’s Disciplinary Committee which she noted is mandated to handle internal disputes.
MCAs Protests Sakaja’s Appointments
In her letter, Muthoni affirmed that Malala is a permanent member of the party’s National Executive Council and as such his interference with the case of Mugambi and Kiragu would amount to a conflict of interest.
However, the MCA also cautioned Governor Sakaja over what she called appointing members of rival parties to key positions.
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According to her, Sakaja had appointed several leaders affiliated with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party to key positions, a move she notes was against the party’s principles.
Furthermore, Muthoni accused Sakaja of being lenient to members of the opposition faction against the recommendations and efforts of the National Dialogue Committee on party fidelity.
Nonetheless, this development came amid plans by the ruling party to conduct grassroots elections across the country.
Jitters have rocked the party’s anticipated elections with various factions emerging to influence the outcome.
