Nzioka Waita resigns as CCU party leader

Nzioka Waita vied for Machakos governor seat on Chama Cha Uzalendo ticket. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Nzioka Waita has resigned as party leader of Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU).

Waita tendered his resignation in a letter dated February 28, 2023, addressed to the party's chief executive officer, Sylvester Mutune.

"Kindly be informed that I have resigned from the position of the party leader and all other attendant party committee membership of CCU with immediate effect," the letter marked "confidential" and which The Standard obtained a copy of reads in part.

He, however, did not divulge the reasons for quitting the party which sponsored his gubernatorial bid for Machakos in the 2022 General Election.

But he was keen to thank the party's National Executive Committee (NEC) for supporting his candidature in the 2022 general election.

Waita, who was a former State House chief of staff, resigned from the position early last year as required by the law in order to vie for the Machakos governor seat.

He put up a spirited campaign against Wavinya Ndeti, the Wiper party's nominee, who later trounced him at the ballot.

He polled second with 129,181 votes while Wavinya seized the seat with 226,609 votes.

On Thursday, the CCU secretary general, Philippe Sadjah confirmed Waita's resignation as the party leader and promised to divulge further details later.

"It is a fact that he (Waita) has resigned. I'll give a comprehensive statement tomorrow in a press conference," Sadjah told Standard Digital over the phone.

Waita's letter of resignation is copied to the registrar of Political parties, Ann Nderitu, CCU chairperson, Stanley Ole Ntutu and the party's deputy leader, Florence Mwangangi.