Mudavadi's party rebrands, weighs on agreement with Jubilee

LAMU, KENYA: UDF Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi launched party restructuring at the Lamu Retreat with incorporation of Members of County Assembly (MCAs) into national party organs. 

He immediately activated the Party County Government Group (PCGG) made up of MCAs and governors. As result, the MCAs nominated 4 representatives to the NEC, another 4 to the Political Council (PC), and a Whip who will sit in both organs.  

Mudavadi said the National Executive Council (NEC) had approved party re-branding and the exercise will start in earnest. He said vacancies occasioned by no-active officials or those who have left will be filled in all party organs. He asked branches to inform the NEC of such vacancies.  

Reacting to calls to discipline errant members, Mudavadi who is also Amani Coalition leader emphasised discipline within party ranks.   

“We may differ in opinion but let’s do it decently without insulting each other. We should develop a culture of depersonalising issues and respect institutions. Name calling is primitive”, he said. 

On the issue of the controversial cooperation agreement with Jubilee, Mudavadi said a Technical Committee has been tasked to look at the merits and demerits of the agreement and make recommendations. 

“The party organs will then deliberate on the recommendation and make a decision. But there is no denying that the rank and file within the party feel strongly that the agreement has not been accomplished to their expectations”, he said. 

Mudavadi cautioned against recent proposals to hurriedly amend laws on county government. He said laws should not be convenient to please a particular group but should secure devolution. 

“Devolution and county government is a baby trying to walk and any attempts to amend law on county governments are like cutting the baby’s legs. Let’s first nurture the baby to walk before we criticise the way it walks”, he quipped adding that amendments to curtail MCAs power to impeach and Senate creation of Boards were premature.  

Mudavadi said the party is strong and asked members to be proud of the fact that the party was the 4th largest party in the country in terms of representation. He asked MCAs to familiarise themselves with the party constitution and election manifesto in order to input policy in county legislation. 

“As the party of devolution, you must uphold accountability for your actions and should not be seen to undermine the spirit of devolution”, he told the MCAs at the close of the retreat. 

He praised those who were contributing to the running of the party saying UDF is one of the parties which unfairly do not receive money from the Political Parties Fund.  

"I believe the law that allows only three parties to receive public funds is unconstitutional and wrong. Our constitution defines Kenya as a multiparty state. We cannot nature a multiparty system through discrimination. We are in the Court of Appeal on this matter", he said.