The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party’s internal dispute resolution committee has concluded the case over the change of leadership of the minority side in the Nairobi County Assembly.
In its findings, the committee said the removal of Waithaka MCA Anthony Kiragu Karanja as Minority leader and that of Minority Whip Mark Mugambi was in order based on the Standing Orders prompted by the minutes and resolutions of the meeting held on October 17, 2023.
“That the removal of the complainants from their respective leadership positions in the County Assembly of Nairobi was procedural… That the designation of the interested parties by letter dated October 23, 2023 was in accordance with Standing Order No. 23(1) and 23(10),” the committee said.
“It is the finding of this court that the appointment of the Interested Parties was procedural and lawful as it was in accordance with the provisions of the Standing Orders.”
This means that Nairobi South MCA Waithera Chege will be confirmed as the UDA minority leader in the Assembly, subject to communication from the Speaker.
Ms Waithera has confirmed that she is contacting the office of the Speaker, Mr Kennedy Ng’ondi, about the changes.
Githurai Ward MCA Mr Deonysias Mwangi will be the next Deputy Minority Leader while UDA nominated member Ms Joyce Muthoni will be the Minority Whip.
The changes will also see Clay City MCA Mr Samora Mwaura take over the role of Deputy Minority Whip.
The changes were prompted by the meeting called by over 35 UDA MCAs who expressed dissatisfaction with Mr Kiragu’s leadership.
They accused her of failing to play her role in scrutinising the office of Governor Johnson Sakaja, despite calls by some of them for the governor to be held accountable for his actions in line with his manifesto.
The other group, however, said the amendments were malicious, claiming that the attempt was to impeach the governor and that some of the signatures collected during the meeting were forged.
The Kiragu faction took the party to the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal, which later referred the matter back to the party on the grounds that the complainants had not exhausted the party’s internal mechanisms.
This comes amid a heated UDA grassroots campaign in the county, where the governor is seeking the chairmanship of the UDA Nairobi branch.
The close relationship between the Governor and Mr Kiragu saw Waithaka MCA withdraw his interest in the same UDA seat and vow to support the Governor.
