UDA Convenes Crisis Meeting To Address Standoff In Party Leadership
Earlier, the President William Ruto-led party made changes to its leadership in the County Assembly, weeks before its planned party elections slated for December.
Marvin Chege 
United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has announced that it will hold a crisis meeting on Thursday, October 26 to solve leadership wrangles at the Nairobi County Assembly.
Earlier, the President William Ruto-led party made changes to its leadership in the County Assembly, weeks before its planned party elections slated for December.
Embattled UDA secretary general Cleophas Malala announced on Monday, October 23 that the MCAs will have the final say regarding the leadership during the crisis meeting.
United Democratic Alliance headquarters in Kilimani, Nairobi dubbed 'Hustler Centre'. /FILE
“I have written a letter to convening a meeting of all elected Nairobi County UDA MCAs this Thursday at 10 am to resolve the issues of the leadership changes,” he said while speaking at the UDA headquarters in Nairobi.
Malala further noted that there are two factions which are embroiled in the leadership wrangles and that the matter will be addressed.
He explained that last week, he received a complaint from a faction of the UDA MCAs who claimed that the embattled leadership led by Minority Leader Antony Kiragu and Minority Whip Mark Mugambi wanted to oust them.
To address the matter, UDA resolved to enact leadership changes which were communicated earlier today.
"Pursuant to and in accordance with provisions of standing orders no 21 of the Nairobi County Assembly, the party appoints South B MCA Waithera Chege as Minority leader replacing Waithaka MCA Antony Kiragu," Malala stated in a letter.
The South B MCA will be deputised by Githurai MCA Deonysias Mwangi.
Umoja One MCA Mark Mugambi was to be replaced by Nominated MCA Joyce Muthoni as Minority whip. Muthoni on her part was to be deputized by Clay MCA Samora Mwaura as her deputy.
The changes were said to be made after 35 MCAs alleged to have appended their signatures to change the leaders. However, Malala noted that he received complaints that some of the signatures were forged.
“If there were any issues on forgery, people will be held responsible. This is a matter of integrity and people will be held accountable and we will take disciplinary measures against them,” Malala vowed.
“On Thursday we shall know the legitimate leadership and as a party, we shall stand with whoever members choose."
The move could be seen as a sign that the party could be shedding off members who are not loyal to the outfit. Already, UDA and ODM have lined up party elections as they move to strengthen their grassroots in readiness for the 2027 elections.
ODM has also elected leaders who have been working with the ruling coalition as the party's top leadership stamp authority.
The letter was written to the County Assembly leadership and copied to minority leaders. Nairobi County Speaker Ken Ng'ondi will now pass the message to the assembly on Tuesday at a meeting.
