The Political Parties Dispute Tribunal (PPDT) on Tuesday barred the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) from effecting changes to its Nairobi County Assembly leadership.
While issuing the order, PPDT chairperson Desma Nungo directed the party to refrain from making the changes until a case challenging the changes is heard and determined.
"Pending the inter-partes hearing and determination of this Application, this Honourable Tribunal hereby issues an interim order restraining the 2nd Respondent from enforcing and/or affecting the decision of the 1st Respondent to remove the Complainants/Applicants as the Minority Leader and the Minority Chief Whip of the 1st Respondent," the Tribunal said in its ruling.
PPTD further directed interested parties to file their responses within 7 days of the ruling.
The tribunal further directed the party not to interfere with the status, privileges, and staff assigned to the two leaders.
On Monday, the party announced changes to its leadership in the Assembly even as the political formation continues to struggle to shake off internal wrangles speculation. Insiders claim that there is a rift between President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua.
In the changes, the party announced the appointment of South B MCA Waithera Chege as Minority leader to replace Waithaka MCA Antony Kiragu.
The party also announced that Chege would be deputised by Githurai MCA Deonysias Mwangi.
UDA also kicked out Umoja One MCA Mark Mugambi as the Minority whip and replaced him with nominated MCA Joyce Muthoni.
The duo were removed from their positions by the party following resolutions passed by UDA MCAs on October 23, 2023.
Kiragu and Mugambi were accused of failing to play their roles effectively which is uniting party members prompting the party to edge them out from their leadership positions.
In a statement, Secretary-General Cleophas Malala said that the changes are designed to unite the party and set it on a course towards achieving its objectives.
“In the said meeting, it was resolved that the minority leader and minority whip be removed for reasons contained in the referenced minute,” Malala stated on October 23, 2023.
