UDA fails to end Nairobi County Assembly leadership crisis

UDA Party officials from right, Cleophas Malala (Secretary-General), Cecily Mbarire (Chairperson), and Japheth Nyakundi (Treasurer) during a press conference in Nairobi. [Samson Wire, Standard]

The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party has failed to end the leadership crisis at the Nairobi County Assembly, despite convening a meeting with the rival factions on Thursday, October 26.

The party’s Secretary-General Cleophas Malala said that the meeting was inconclusive and that another one would be held in two weeks to try and resolve the stalemate.

“We have listened to both sides and their concerns. We have said we will call a second meeting that will try to bring them together,” said Malala. 

He added that the party would not favour any faction and would give everyone a chance to be heard.

“We are assuring them that we will have a solution before they resume their sessions. We want them to remain calm and have confidence in the secretariat,” he said.

Malala was accompanied by UDA Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, who said that the current leadership would stay in place until the court case is heard and determined. 

“We have requested the aggrieved parties to withdraw their cases from court. We will call for round two of the meeting,” said Mbarire.

The meeting came as the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) issued an order stopping the removal of UDA’s Nairobi Minority Leader Anthony Kiragu and Minority Whip Mark Mugambi.

The two leaders had challenged the decision of UDA to replace them with new appointees.

PPDT Chairperson Desma Nungo barred UDA and the assembly from implementing the decision, pending the hearing and determination of the application.

The order also restrained the assembly from interfering with the status, privileges, and terms of Kiragu and Mugambi as elected representatives.

The matter will be mentioned on November 7, 2023, at 2.30 p.m.

Kiragu and Mugambi claimed that they were unlawfully removed from their positions without due process or fair hearing. They also alleged that their removal was politically motivated and aimed at frustrating their work.