Ruto intervenes to save Sakaja allies from ouster

A last minute intervention by President William Ruto yesterday forestalled the ouster of leaders allied to Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja in the county assembly.

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Cleophas Malala was forced to eat humble pie and reinstate Sakaja’s perceived allies minutes after he had written a letter giving the green-light to a team linked to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Malala’s move came after the team affiliated to Gachagua addressed the media in the morning rubber stamping that they are the legitimate officials of the UDA party at the county assembly.

In an earlier letter, Malala had authorised changes in the Minority Whip position where South B MCA Waithera Chege had been appointed to take over from Waithaka MCA Anthony Kiragu, a close ally of the governor.

Chief Minority Whip’s position had been given to Nominated MCA Joyce Muthoni, replacing Umoja 1 MCA Mark Mugambi.

Poor leadership

Previously, Waithera served as the deputy Minority Leader while Muthoni served as Deputy Minority Whip.

“Pursuant to and in accordance with provisions of Standing Order No 21 21 of Nairobi County Assembly, the party appoints the following leaders; Hon. Waithera Chege (Minority Leader), Deonysias Mwangi (Deputy Minority Leader), Joyce Muthoni (Minority Whip), Samora Mwaura (Deputy Minority Whip,” Malalah told Nairobi County Assembly Speaker Kennedy Ng’ondi.

Mwangi and Mwaura serve as Githurai and Clay City Ward MCAs respectively.

Waithera, who addressed the media earlier accused Kiragu and the team of failing to offer direction and leadership to party members on critical legislative matters.Forged signatures

However, matters took a different turn after Malala and the team he had ousted appeared at the party headquarters on Ngong road and they disowned the letter.

Malala said the status quo will remain as it is until Thursday when all Nairobi UDA MCAs will converge at the party headquarters and elect their new leaders.

People Daily understands that Malala was forced to dismiss the letter Sakaja reached out to him for intervention. Both Kiragu and Mugambi are close allies of the Governor.

“The secretariat received complaints a few weeks ago and we acted according to what we received. However, after analyzing the situation we understand there could be more than we see and that’s why we have invited all UDA MCAs to come on Thursday and make their own decision.

The meeting will also be attended by other senior party officials. We don’t want Nairobi to go back to where it was,” he said.

He warned that the party will take action against those MCAs found to have forged signatures.
“If there were any issues of 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 added.
The SG emphasized that the party’s secretariat will not take sides on the issue but will listen and let members decide.

“On Thursday, we shall know the legitimate leadership and as a party, we shall stand with whoever members choose,” Malala said.

In a clear display of differences that have rocked the assembly, the faction led by Waithera accused Kiragu of totally failing to defend city residents alleging that the team has only been pursuing their own personal interests.

In particular, Waithera said because of their failure to provide the oversight role, Sakaja has brought in place policies that seem not to address key problems affecting city residents.

“Our people have already told us what they want the government to address. This include; to end traffic congestion, collection of garbage, repair of already impassable roads, settlement of genuine pending bills, a stable supply of clean water and improved business environment. Unfortunately this is not what the Executive is implementing. Payment of huge legal fees and harassment of traders by county askaris can never be the people’s priority,” said Waithera.

Consequently, the group led by Kiragu accused Waithera of frustrating the government through external forces.

In particular, Kiragu said there were plans to have Sakaja impeached and Nairobi Metropolitan Service (NMS) brought back.

“They fight everything including the good policies such as Dishi na County. The sad thing is that they have made this fight personal. We want to send a clear message that no form of intimidation will cow us. We will support Sakaja and no impeachment will sail through,” said Kiragu.

Nairobi County Assembly has 124 MCAs, of which 85 are elected members and 39 are nominated.
Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition is the majority with the highest number of MCAS at 68 while Kenya Kwanza has 53 MCAs. There are three Independent MCAs.

The United Democratic Alliance has 35 elected MCAs just like the Orange Democratic Movement party.
Jubilee has seven, Wiper four, Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) one and three are Independents.

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