NFK faulted for ousting leader

United democratic front (UDF) secretary general Justus Kizito and other party leaders addressing the press on 28th December 2014 in Bungoma. He faulted New Ford Kenya (NFK) leadership for ousting the Bungoma county assembly minority leader John Musakali and replacing him with Bumula ward rep Henry Nyongesa without consulting other Jubilee/Amani coalition parties. (PHOTO: TITUS OTEBA/STANDARD)

The United Democratic Front (UDF) party has faulted its Jubilee/Amani coalition partner New Ford Kenya (NFK) for ousting the Bungoma County Assembly Minority Leader John Musakali without consultation.

Mr Musakali, the Ndivisi ward representative was replaced by Bumula Ward MCA Henry Nyongesa a week after a series of wrangles pitting him and other NFK members of the assembly.

Addressing the Press at Martland Hotel in Bungoma town after meeting the UDF MCAs yesterday, UDF Secretary General Justus Kizito said it was wrong for NFK leaders to oust the leader without consulting other coalition partners.

"It is against the law for NFK leadership to oust the assembly minority leader without any communication to other coalition partners because we could have helped in choosing another leader that is acceptable across board. But because they ignored us, we don't recognise the new minority leader," said Mr Kizito.

He said Mr Nyongesa has integrity issues since he has a case pending in court and it will taint the coalition's image.

"Nyongesa has a case in court for allegedly impregnating and aiding a Form One school girl to procure unsafe abortion. As  coalition partners, we cannot have such leaders to leading us in the assembly," he said.

Potential enemies

Kizito said they need consensus as a coalition to carry on with any mission in the country so that they can be strong and protect themselves from potential enemies.

On Tuesday last week, Mbakalo ward MCA Bethwel Mwambu and Kamukuywa ward MCA Moses Opicho, both of UDF, clashed at the end-of-year party hosted at Kabula pastoral centre over the minority leader issue.

Nyongesa had been introduced to speak as the minority leader but Mr Mwambu cut him short, shouting that Musakali was still the minority leader.

Facing off

This sparked controversy, forcing Opicho to snatch the microphone from Mwambu.
It took assembly Speaker John Makali's intervention who warned the two leaders against facing off in public.

"There is no need of leaders coming to this party to cause chaos. You should agree on the modality and make sure the issue is solved amicably," said Mr Makali.

Makali said Musakali was still the minority leader because the purported ouster was done when the assembly was in recess and he has not received any communication so far.