- Malala said the requirement and qualification to be a board chairperson under the law is that one must not be a public officer.
- “We are fully aware of the definitive provisions of the law on what and who constitutes a ‘public officer.”
Image: CLEOPHAS MALALA/X
UDA has termed accusations by ODM over its latest appointments in the party as “unfounded and benighted”.
Secretary General Cleophas Malala said UDA respects, upholds and protects the Constitution and abides by “all the parameters of the law”.
“We are fully aware of the definitive provisions of the law on what and who constitutes a ‘public officer’" he said.
"We are guided by judicial precedents and determinations that have found and held that chairpersons of state corporations are not public officers within the definition of Article 260 of the Constitution.”
On Wednesday, ODM protested a move by UDA to Kenya Revenue Authority board chair Anthony Mwaura to head its National Elections Board, and Kenya Power chairperson Joy Midivo to the Internal Dispute Resolution Committee.
ODM argued that the move is contrary to the Ethics and Integrity Act.
The Orange party in a NEC meeting resolved to push for the resignation of the two from their offices or drop the offer by UDA.
“We are not going to allow civil servants to engage in politics...this is backward,” ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said.
But on Thursday, Malala said the requirement and qualification to be a board chairperson under the law is that one must not be a public officer.
He said board chairpersons are appointed by the President discretionally and are not paid as employees of the institutions that they chair.
In a press statement, Malala further said that ODM has followed in the path of the UDA Party to conduct party elections, soon after they announced their schedule of the national grassroots election.
“We are proud that as young as UDA is, it has inspired ODM to learn a lot more about Democracy. We challenge ODM to continue observing and learning from UDA,” he stated.
Malala added that UDA remains steadfast in its commitment to conducting free, fair, verifiable, and just grassroots polls.
“We believe in the fundamental principles of democracy and are dedicated to ensuring that every Kenyan has a voice in the decision-making process. Our focus remains on serving the people and delivering tangible results for the betterment of our nation,” he said.
He further said the ruling party will continue to work tirelessly to fulfil the aspirations of the Kenyan people and its members.