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UDA dispute committee upholds leadership changes at Nairobi Assembly

A section of UDA Nairobi MCA addressing the media at a past event. (Photo: Maureen Kinyanjui)

By Maureen Kinyanjui | Friday, April 19, 2024

Two MCAs had challenged their removal from leadership positions within the UDA Party, alleging procedural irregularities and unfair treatment.

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party's Internal Dispute Resolutions Mechanism Committee (IDRM) has upheld the ouster of current officeholders at the Nairobi County Assembly, leading to anticipated leadership changes.

The ruling delivered on Friday, which came after a protracted dispute, saw the committee dismissing a complaint filed by Anthony Karanja Kiragu and Mark Mugambi, members of the Nairobi City County Assembly representing Waithaka Ward and Umoja 1 wards, respectively.

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The complainants (the two MCAs) had challenged their removal from leadership positions within the UDA Party, alleging procedural irregularities and unfair treatment.

However, the committee found that the removal process was conducted in accordance with party regulations and standing orders.

"The removal of the complainants from their respective leadership positions of the County Assembly of Nairobi was procedural," ruled the committee's chairperson, Rebecca Tonkei.

Additionally, the committee affirmed the appointment of Waithera Chege (South B), Deonysias Mwangi (Githurai MCA), Joyce Muthoni ( Nominated MCA), and Samora Mwaura ( Clay MCA) to leadership positions within the assembly, citing compliance with standing orders.

The ruling is expected to trigger significant changes in leadership dynamics within the Nairobi County Assembly, with the newly appointed individuals assuming key roles.

However, MCAs Kiragu and Mugambi have the option to appeal to the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the UDA Party, as per the party's constitution.

In October last year, UDA MCAs split into camps wrestling for key leadership slots at the assembly.

The party had announced leadership changes where Waithera Chege was named the minority leader and was to be deputised by Deonysias Mwangi (Githurai MCA).

Umoja One MCA Mark Mugambi was to be replaced by nominated MCA Joyce Muthoni as Minority whip.

Muthoni was to be deputised by Clay MCA Samora Mwaura as her deputy.

The changes were said to be made after 35 MCAs allegedly appended their signatures to change the leaders.

UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala, however, made a U-turn saying he had received complaints that some of the signatures were forged hence calling for a crisis meeting.

The Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) then barred UDA from making leadership changes at the Nairobi County Assembly.

PPDT chairperson Desma Nungo gave the orders barring UDA from making any changes until a hearing and determination are done.

Early this year, the Political Parties Tribunal urged the UDA MCAs to utilize their Internal Dispute Resolutions Mechanism (IDRM) and settle their leadership disputes

The tribunal, dismissing an application from Waithaka and Umoja One MCAs sided with the UDA party's argument that the two had not exhausted the party's Internal Dispute Resolution Mechanism before bringing the complaint