More pain: Stage set for Gachagua ouster in UDA

The stage is now set for the elevation of new Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as the UDA deputy party leader.

This follows his swearing-in on November 1 to succeed Rigathi Gachagua who was impeached by parliament.

Officials at the party told the Star that a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting has been scheduled for next week to ratify the changes.

The meeting will approve the expulsion of Gachagua both as the deputy party leader and the member in line with internal procedures.

“The UDA constitution states that the President will be the party leader and the Deputy President will be the deputy party leader. We will be holding a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting probably as early as Monday, November 4, 2024, to bring him in," party chairperson Cecily Mbarire said Friday.

UDA constitution does not allow any other person other than the Deputy President to be its deputy party leader.

Party's National Treasurer Japhet Nyakundi said recently they do not recognise Gachagua as the deputy party leader.

NEC is an executive organ of the party that makes binding decisions on party management and its policies.

The National Executive Committee shall consist of national officials, parliamentary party leaders and whips, Governors’ caucus chairperson and whip, chairperson and whip of the County Assembly caucus, and the Executive Director who shall be ex-official.

It is convened on notice by the Secretary General in consultation with the national chairperson or by a written request made by 25 per cent of the members thereof.

NEC approved in May this year an amendment to the party constitution to create one office of deputy party leader and two offices of assistant deputy party leaders.

The constitution provides for three Deputy party leaders to be in charge of policy and strategy, operations and another one for programmes.

Kindiki's entry comes as the party prepares to embark on the second phase of the grassroot elections which had been suspended in June.