The leadership standoff facing the UDA party at the Nairobi County Assembly is expected to persist after one of the rival camps said they will not attend a crisis meeting convened Thursday.
In a letter, newly appointed Minority Whip Joyce Muthoni said that the UDA legislators ought not to attend the meeting as the matter is already active in court.
"Given that the matter is already under consideration by the political parties dispute tribunal, any such meeting would violate the sub judice rule," she said in a letter addressed to UDA SG Cleophas Malala.
"It is a fundamental principle that we refrain from discussing ongoing cases outside the proper channels, to ensure fairness and the integrity of the adjudication process."
Malala on Monday announced that the party will be holding a crisis meeting to solve leadership wrangles at the Nairobi County Assembly.
This was after two factions contested over the leadership position of the party.
Already, the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) has 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.
In changes communicated by Malala on Monday, Waithera Chege was named the minority leader and was to be deputized by Deonysias Mwangi (Guthurai MCA).
Umoja One MCA Mark Mugambi was to be replaced by Nominated MCA Joyce Muthoni as Minority whip.
Muthoni was to be deputized 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.
Malala later in the day, however, made a U-turn saying he had received complaints that some of the signatures were forged hence calling for the crisis meeting.
But MCA Muthoni poked holes into the meeting stating that it would be a conflict of interest If Malala was involved in the preliminary dispute resolutions of the party.
She explained that since Malala is a substantive member of the National Executive Committee, which is the appellate body for the Disciplinary Committee's decisions, his involvement amounts to conflict of interest
The MCAs urged the SG to consider the long-term implications of their actions on the unity, credibility, and future of our beloved party.
"Given the above-stated reasons, we find it in the best interest of our party, and in line with upholding our constitution, to respectfully decline the invitation to the proposed meeting," reads the letter
"It is of paramount importance that we adhere to the laid-down procedures and principles in resolving disputes and ensuring party cohesion,"
The letter was signed by 26 UDA MCAs, both nominated and elected.
