- Two rival groups wrestling for key leadership slots at the assembly failed to agree.
- Addressing the media, Mbarire said that they failed to reach a consensus in the meeting despite having all 52 MCAs present.
Attempts to solve Nairobi assembly UDA leadership wrangles have hit a snag. https://rb.gy/lh0eh
Attempts to solve Nairobi assembly UDA leadership wrangles have hit a snag.
Two rival groups wrestling for key leadership slots at the assembly failed to agree during a meeting chaired by UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire and Secretary General Cleophas Malala.
One camp led by Minority leader Antony Waithaka and minority Whip Mark Mugambi is wrestling to remain in charge amidst a sustained onslaught by a rival camp led by South B MCA Waithera Chege and Nominated MCA Joyce Kamau.
Addressing the media, Mbarire said that they failed to reach a consensus in the meeting despite having all 52 MCAs present.
“Our effort today was to see if we can have consensus to overturn the court order,” she said.
Mbarire noted that with the court order in place, nothing much would have been done.
However, she says both factions were able to vent and raise their concerns with the party leadership
“We are cognizant of the need to have a solution as quickly as possible, and therefore we will call for a second meeting,” he said.
The UDA chairperson explained that the reason why the party needed to have a consensus was to have all legislators reading from the same page.
“We don't want to rush into a decision until we feel that we've created that environment where both factions are satisfied because they all belong to the UDA party,” Mbarire said.
She emphasized that the legislators needed to work in unity and as one to drive the Kenya Kwanza government agenda.
On his side, the party’s SG Malala said that the status quo remained until a solution is made.
He emphasized that the party leadership will ensure that both teams solve and the issues and work together.
“At the moment the assembly is in recess but we shall ensure in the next two weeks, this stalemate will be solved,” Malala added.
The SG called upon both factions of MCAs to have confidence in the party’s secretariat.
He insisted that the secretariate would not favour any faction but would respect the rule of law and have a listening ear to both sides.
Malala had called for a consultative meeting to resolve issues between two camps fighting to take charge of key seats including that of minority leader and whip.
On Monday, the party 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.
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.
On Tuesday, the Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) 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.
Malala on Wednesday revoked his earlier letter to the speaker announcing the appointment of new leadership.
The SG said that the revocation was a result of a court order from the Political Parties and Disputes Tribunal preventing the party from making any changes to the leadership.
“In the view above we are constrained to suspend our earlier communication and that there be status quo of the existing Minority leadership in line with the court order,” reads the letter.
The letter was addressed to the speaker of the county assembly.