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UDA Blocks Azimio's Quest to Dominate Nairobi County Assembly
Nairobi speaker, Kennedy Ng'ondi, was barred from declaring the majority side in the County Assembly after a voter affiliated with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) filed the matter in court.
The court suspended a declaration that declared Azimio La Umoja the majority and also barred its officials from assuming the offices of the leader of the majority, the deputy leader of the majority, the majority whip and other key positions.
In an urgent order issued on Tuesday, October 18, Chief Magistrate Cosmas Maundu ordered that Ng'ondi's ruling remained null and void until the determination of the case.
He also summoned Azimio and Kenya Kwanza for an inter-party hearing on Tuesday, November 1.
"A conservatory order Is hereby Issued suspending the implementation of the speaker's impugned decision dated October 11, 2022, that declared Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Party and consequently bar the listed officials from assuming offices," the judge ruled in the suit filed by one Titus Kiilu.
Azimio had nominated Peter Imwatok, John Ndile Musila and Moses Ogeto as the majority, deputy leader of the majority and majority whip, respectively.
Ngara Member of County Assembly, Chege Mwaura, also wrote to the Registrar of Political Parties (RPP), Anne Nderitu, seeking clarification on which of the coalition was the majority.
Mwaura argued that a ruling made in the National Assembly on the same issue should be used in deciding the matter at the county level.
At the National Assembly, Speaker Moses Wetangula ruled that Kenya Kwanza was a majority, arguing that the alliance marshalled more MPs in the House.
This was despite the parties that previously belonged to Azimio not terminating their coalition agreement.
To compound the issue for Azimio, UDA secretary general, Veronica Maina, wrote to the assembly clerk insisting that Kenya Kwanza was the majority.
She listed Anthony Kiragu, Waithera Chege, Mark Ronaldo as the leader of the majority, deputy leader of the majority and majority whip, respectively.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke , Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, however, maintained that UDA's claims were unfounded and ill-advised. He argued that the gap in the representation was too wide to even be contested in court.
"UDA has tried all measures and has failed. We left them to enjoy the presidential win. Why aren't they contented?
"Let them also accept defeat in the county assembly. Even if they take all Jubilee members, for instance, they still can't be the majority. We are the majority. Period!! Alai stated.
On Friday, September 30, Nairobi speaker, Kennedy Ng'ondi caused confusion in the county assembly after he revoked his approval of Azimio house leadership.
The Speaker explained that the coalition party had not used the proper communication channel to submit the list. He later approved the nominees and called on Kenya Kwanza to submit their candidates for minority leadership.
