NAIROBI, Kenya – The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is preparing to appoint Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as the party’s new deputy leader, stepping into a role currently held by impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar announced the move, underscoring that the party’s swift action hinges on the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings.
According to Omar, UDA’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will promptly confirm Kindiki’s appointment once the court rules on Gachagua’s removal from office.
“This is something that will be done in a matter of minutes. We’ll meet at 6 a.m., and by 6:30 a.m., we will have announced Kindiki as the new deputy party leader,” Omar declared.
The UDA Constitution mandates that the Deputy President automatically serves as the party’s deputy leader, a position Gachagua held before his recent impeachment, which has intensified friction with President William Ruto’s administration.
Omar made it clear that UDA would not allow Gachagua to retain his party position due to the ongoing discord with Ruto and the party’s leadership.
“This is purely a political process. No court can grant you party leadership. The relationship is already strained, and Gachagua can’t continue serving as the deputy party leader,” Omar stated.
Adding fuel to the fire, the NEC also removed Cleophas Malala, a staunch Gachagua supporter, from his role as Secretary General, signaling a clear shift in party dynamics.
The party’s leadership shake-up comes amid heightened political intrigue, with a three-judge High Court panel set to rule on Thursday whether to delay Kindiki’s swearing-in as the country’s Deputy President.
While the National Assembly, Senate, Attorney General Dorcus Oduor, and Kindiki have all urged the court to lift the conservatory orders preventing Kindiki’s assumption of office, Gachagua has petitioned for an extension, seeking to resolve his impeachment case first.
Amid these legal and political maneuvers, UDA is also restructuring its top hierarchy.
Omar explained that the NEC is working to streamline party leadership, proposing to maintain a single deputy leader and introduce two assistant deputy leaders, a change from the initial plan to create three deputy leadership roles.
This proposal, crafted to keep internal factions at bay, awaits ratification at the party’s upcoming National Delegates Convention.
Omar emphasized the party’s overarching goal to unify Kenyans under a cohesive leadership, positioning UDA for a post-Gachagua era.
“We are moving forward as a party and have committed to uniting Kenyans,” Omar added.
UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar announced the move, underscoring that the party’s swift action hinges on the outcome of ongoing legal proceedings.
According to Omar, UDA’s National Executive Committee (NEC) will promptly confirm Kindiki’s appointment once the court rules on Gachagua’s removal from office.
“This is something that will be done in a matter of minutes. We’ll meet at 6 a.m., and by 6:30 a.m., we will have announced Kindiki as the new deputy party leader,” Omar declared.
The UDA Constitution mandates that the Deputy President automatically serves as the party’s deputy leader, a position Gachagua held before his recent impeachment, which has intensified friction with President William Ruto’s administration.
Omar made it clear that UDA would not allow Gachagua to retain his party position due to the ongoing discord with Ruto and the party’s leadership.
“This is purely a political process. No court can grant you party leadership. The relationship is already strained, and Gachagua can’t continue serving as the deputy party leader,” Omar stated.
Adding fuel to the fire, the NEC also removed Cleophas Malala, a staunch Gachagua supporter, from his role as Secretary General, signaling a clear shift in party dynamics.
The party’s leadership shake-up comes amid heightened political intrigue, with a three-judge High Court panel set to rule on Thursday whether to delay Kindiki’s swearing-in as the country’s Deputy President.
While the National Assembly, Senate, Attorney General Dorcus Oduor, and Kindiki have all urged the court to lift the conservatory orders preventing Kindiki’s assumption of office, Gachagua has petitioned for an extension, seeking to resolve his impeachment case first.
Amid these legal and political maneuvers, UDA is also restructuring its top hierarchy.
Omar explained that the NEC is working to streamline party leadership, proposing to maintain a single deputy leader and introduce two assistant deputy leaders, a change from the initial plan to create three deputy leadership roles.
This proposal, crafted to keep internal factions at bay, awaits ratification at the party’s upcoming National Delegates Convention.
Omar emphasized the party’s overarching goal to unify Kenyans under a cohesive leadership, positioning UDA for a post-Gachagua era.
“We are moving forward as a party and have committed to uniting Kenyans,” Omar added.
