Anthony Mwaura Should Resign- ODM Tells UDA Over Appointment Of KRA Chair

The Orange Democratic Party (ODM) is now calling for the resignation of Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) chairman Anthony Mwaura who was appointed to chair the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party's National Elections Board (NEB).

The party, led by former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, also wants Kenya Power Board Chair Joy Mdivo to resign from office after she was appointed to chair UDA's electoral dispute resolution committee (EDRC).

"Public Officers appointed to party organs in the UDA party should resign from government offices immediately," stated ODM on X.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, April 3, ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna said public officials cannot serve the interests of Kenyans and political parties at the same time.

ODM Secretary-General, Edwin Sifuna during a past press address. /FACEBOOK

He lamented that the move would smell of a reincarnation of what was witnessed in the KANU regime in the 1980s where public servants and party leaders were working in the same roles at once.

"We are staring at the return of the Party-State system last seen in the 1980s where party leaders and public servants were the same thing. What followed was a youth wing with watchdog or surveillance responsibilities over the entire nation," the statement read in part. 

The Nairobi Senator further claimed that the UDA Party’s move would lead to dictatorship and partisanship in the management of public affairs.

"We take the position that this development is wrong. It is a recipe for chaos, dictatorship and partisanship in the management of public affairs. Consequently, we demand that all those people who have been named as UDA officials must immediately resign from public service. There is no way they will serve two masters, the public and the party."

The UDA Party’s National Steering Committee on Tuesday appointed Mwaura as the chairperson of the National Elections Board deputized by Veronica Kiberenge. Members of the board include; Linda Kiome, Jimmy Kaindi, Mary Mutina, Halake Dida, and Lydia Munika.

Mdivo on the other hand was sappointed as the chairperson of the Electoral Disputes Resolutions Committee assisted by Adrian Kamotho.

Grassroots Polls

ODM meanwhile announced staggered grassroots elections to start on April 27, 2024, with nine counties the first to elect officials. This is despite a cash crunch, with the party opting to spread the nationwide exercise over three days.

Sifuna outlined the staggered approach, with elections in Kwale, Busia, and Siaya counties set for April 27, followed by Kajiado, Migori, and Wajir on April 29. The final round of elections for Kisii, Vihiga, and Muranga counties will take place on April 30.

However, the party stated that a detailed timetable for elections in other county branches would be released at a later date.