Musalia Mudavadi dumps Boni Khalwale in UDF power struggle

Three MPs risk losing their seats after they were expelled from UDF on claims that they had failed to conform to the party's ideals.

Internal wrangles and power struggles threatened the party’s stability even as a special National Delegates Conference (NDC) called by a faction loyal to Mr Musalia Mudavadi resolved that chairman Hassan Osman, who is a nominated MP, and senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega) and Martha Wangari (nominated) be struck off the party’s membership register.

The meeting at the party’s headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi, also endorsed the expulsion of Mr Nathan Kamidi from the party.

MPs Alfred Sambu (Webuye West), Sakwa Bunyasi (Nambale), Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East), Yusuf Chanzu (Vihiga), Emanuel Wangwe (Navakholo) Ayub Savula (Lugari) and Alfred Agoi (Sabatia) attended.

The registrar of political parties, Ms Lucy Ndung’u, has to decide whether the law was followed in disciplining the members accused of ignoring the party that sponsored them to Parliament.

Mr Mudavadi, the Amani Coalition leader, and his running mate in the 2013 General Election, Mr Jeremiah Kioni, later joined the meeting after the resolutions of the National Governing Council (NGC) had been ratified by the NDC members.

MOVE 'LAUGHABLE'

However, in a quick rejoinder, the affected legislators led by Senator Wangari dismissed the move, saying it was done by a rival group with no power to act on behalf of the party.

“That is laughable. Those who have called the meeting are masqueraders who have no powers to expel others,” Ms Wangari said.

Besides, she said the matter was a pending before the Political Parties Dispute Resolution Tribunal after Mr Osman, who had been suspended for alleged gross misconduct, lodged a complaint.

The party also recommended that seven other party members be suspended pending further disciplinary action.

The National Executive Council (NEC) was also empowered to constitute an internal dispute resolution committee to ensure party harmony and unity.

The committee will run parallel to the disciplinary proceedings.

Delegates from across the country also re-elected Mr Mudavadi and Mr Kioni as the party leader and deputy party leader, respectively.

They replaced Mr Osman as party chairman with Mr Kassim Ali Sawa.

The other officials are former Industrialisation assistant minister Nderitu Muriithi (treasurer), Mr John Chikati (chairman, national election board), Mr Justus Kizito (secretary-general) and Moyale MP Roba Duba (chief whip of the Party Representatives Group).

“The delegates reaffirmed their support for the two leaders in their efforts to reorganise and strengthen the party in line with members’ aspirations,” Mr Sambu, who chaired the NGC meeting said.

Dr Khalwale’s name was included among those to leave the party following a heated meeting as some delegates questioned why the vocal senator, whom they associated with Cord, had been left out.

Mr Sambu's efforts to explain that Dr Khalwale would be dealt with as one of the other members whom the delegates resolved should be investigated for flouting the party’s constitution were rejected.

Some of the delegates complained that the new list of officials that the party wanted them to endorse was skewed to favour certain regions besides having recycled officials accused of diverting funds meant for party agents during the General Election.

Delegates said the planned restructuring of the party and rebranding to Amani National Congress (ANC) should be fast-tracked.

Senator Wangari, who addressed the media moments after her expulsion, said genuine officials had organised a National Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday to discuss the matter.