The newly appointed United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leadership at the Nairobi County Assembly is on a warpath with embattled governor Johnson Sakaja who accused the county boss of neglecting key issues affecting the common man in Nairobi.
Hours after being named the new UDA Minority Leader in the Nairobi County Assembly, South B Member of the County Assembly (MCA) Waithera Chege launched a scathing attack against Sakaja saying there is a clear disconnect between his administration’s policies and city residents.
Chege said one year since they were elected problems related to garbage collection, traffic and harassment by inspectorate officers have been on the rise and the current administration has not shown any interest to bring solutions.
“Our people have already told us what they want the government to address. We want to see results not rhetoric. Payment of huge legal fees and harassment of traders by county askaris can never be the people’s priority.” Waithera lamented.
She added that Sakaja regime has been a hindrance towards realisation of ward development and vowed that they will work tirelessly hard to perform their oversight role.
The statement by Waithera came even after there was uproar from city residents especially on the recently enacted Finance Act.
The law wants increment of taxes for hawkers, cremation services among other things.
“Unlike our predecessors who chose to pursue personal interest, we promise members that we shall push their agenda.” She added.
The statement came even after it emerged that there are two warring sides affiliated to the UDA party in Nairobi County Assembly.
In what appeared as a direct endorsement of the new leadership, yesterday, the president William Ruto’s led UDA party overhauled the Nairobi County Assembly leadership by removing former Minority Leader Antony Kiragu and immediate former Minority Whip Mark Mugambi following an ouster petition signed by over 35 assembly legislators citing gross misconduct on the part of the former leadership.
Consequently, through a correspondence sent to the Nairobi County Assembly Speaker and seen by The Informer Media Group, UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malalah named Waithera Chege as the new Minority leader.
Also, nominated MCA Joyce Muthoni has been named the Minority Whip forthwith replacing Mugambi.
Previously, Waithera served as the deputy Minority Leader while Muthoni served as Deputy Minority Whip.
The letter was also sent and received by offices previously held by both Kiragu and Mugambi’s.
“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 through a letter dated October 23, 2023.
Mwangi and Mwaura serve as Githurai and Clay City Ward MCAs respectively.
On Thursday last week, UDA allied MCAs signed a petition addressed to party honchos demanding ouster of the former House leadership.
In the now successful petition to the party leadership, the UDA lawmakers accused Kiragu and Mugambi of having failed to offer direction and leadership to party members on critical legislative matters.
Speaking from UDA party headquarters last week, the MCAs led by Kahawa West MCA Clement Kamaru said the time was ripe for the change.
“We have been patient with both the Leader of Minority and Minority Chief Whip for far too long, but now we must let them go for the benefit of our party and members. Enough is enough.” The MCAs lamented.
They accused both leaders of pursuing their interests, excluding the needs of the members.
The UDA MCAs also accused the duo of undermining and sidelining women, especially those who were nominated to the leadership space.
“With the foregoing, we have only one solution under our Standing Orders and that is to remove both MCA Kiragu and Mugambi from office so that our beloved party, UDA can appoint new leaders who will restore sanity in the Assembly leadership.”
The 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.
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.
However, CCK was dissolved and joined UDA.
President Ruto’s UDA party and Raila Odinga’s ODM each have 17 nominated MCAs.
Retired president Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee has three nominated MCAs and Wiper has two.
Therefore, in total, ODM and UDA have 52 MCAs each, Jubilee has 10 Wiper has six and CCK has one MCA.
